Moving your body is one of the most important things that you can do for your health. Many people just associate movement and exercise with weight loss, and while it is effective, it goes far beyond that. As a human being, you are built to move your body. Unfortunately, in today’s society, it is set up to be very sedentary. This means that the average person doesn’t move their body nearly as much as they need to.
Movement is a vital part of life. It impacts how you look, how you feel, your energy levels, your digestion, your nervous system, and so much more. But this doesn’t mean you have to go and work out in the gym for 2 hours a day. Movement can be anything that you enjoy and anything that you are motivated to do. As long as you are moving your body in some form, it will benefit you significantly.
If you know this is something you want to incorporate into your life, but you are just not sure how or where to get started, then here are some top tips you need to know. It can be so difficult with a multitude of tips and gurus on social media, so here are some practical, basic and easy ways to get started so you can reap the benefits.
Benefits of movement for your health and wellbeing
Movement is an impactful tool that can benefit your overall quality of life in many ways, as it can help or hinder both your mental and physical wellbeing. When you exercise on a regular basis, your physical health can improve, as you strengthen your bones, your cardiovascular function and your immune system. Exercise can also help to reduce stress, improve your energy and your mood. This is physiological, as when you exercise, you release endorphins and other chemicals around your body. Exercise can help to reduce your risk of health risks and diseases, as well as mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
How to get started with movement to support your wellbeing
Many people get stuck with starting exercise because the amount you think you should be doing becomes stressful and overwhelming. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. When you start small, find something you enjoy, and properly fuel your body, you will be doing more than enough to get started. You can then scale it if you want. To help you, here are some top tips to consider.
Dedicate a time each day
First, you are going to need a little time each day to even incorporate the movement into your life. Consider when you have some free time to ensure you don’t set yourself up for failure. Don’t try to schedule it, for example, first thing in the morning if you have kids to wake up, get ready and take them to school. For some people, it can be helpful to stack the habit with something else when you are already up, especially if you struggle with getting started with tasks.
Start small
It is really important that you start small. This is key to making any habit long-lasting and sustainable. Many people overwhelm themselves or their bodies by trying to do too much, too quickly. This often leads to burnout, and then you will have to stop and recover. If you start small, you are able to more easily start the habit, stick to the habit, and build up your capacity for exercise. Starting small will help you to maintain it better. Many people find this hard mentally, as they feel like doing something small is just not going to be enough. This is a mindset that needs to be worked on.
Starting small might look like finding 15 minutes in the morning or the evening to move your body. It might also mean starting with some yoga or light dancing from a YouTube video. Alternatively, you can start by swapping out something you already do, e.g. walking up the stairs rather than the elevator, walking to work or school drop off rather than driving.
Do it with someone else
Doing movement with someone else is an excellent way to get started and to keep up the habit. It can be difficult to start and maintain something on your own, but when you do it with someone else, it can keep you both accountable. Not only this, but it can also make movement fun, which is really key. Find someone who has the same goals as you, and preferably the same kind of lifestyle, so you can both find something and a time that works for you. You can exercise or walk together, or you can set up a challenge where you keep each other accountable if you can’t workout physically together.
Fuel your body properly
When you exercise regularly, it is vital that you fuel your body properly. This means eating more food, not less food. Many people believe that they need to reduce their calorie intake to be healthy, but this is not always the case. What will be more effective is introducing more whole foods, fruit and vegetables into your meals. You will also want to ensure that you are eating enough carbohydrates, protein and fat. Protein is really key when you exercise, as it can aid in muscle growth and a variety of other physical and mental factors. The last thing you want is to be trying to exercise and not have the energy to do so because you are not eating enough. Protein can be found in lots of foods; protein powder is also a commonly used supplement.
Hydrate
Hydration is important whether you exercise or not, but if you are pushing your body more and sweating a lot, you are going to be losing even more water. Make sure you drink enough during the day and during your exercise.
Exercising is really important to your quality of life. Movement isn’t just for weight loss but for your energy, mood, cognitive function, health and more.
