Easy Movements for Better Health
By Genevieve Cunningham
Movement is one of those things in life that you simply must have. We need it in order to keep our bodies healthy and strong. We need it for good mental health. Movement is not up for negotiation. It's a necessity. But if you're not used to moving your body, it can feel overwhelming to begin the process. If you need to add some movement into your life in an easygoing way, take a look at these three easy movements to begin enjoying today.
Walking
Walking is one of the easiest ways to get exercise. You can do it as quickly or as slowly as you desire. You can make it challenging if you need to, or you can keep it low-impact. If you want to stay indoors, you can buy a treadmill or go to an indoor track. If you like the great outdoors, you can walk around the block, go to a local park, or even hike. There is no reason for most people to miss out on this extraordinarily easy way to exercise. Grab your favorite shoes and get moving.
Stretching
Stretching may not feel like much movement, but it still gets your blood flowing and loosens the muscles and ligaments in the body. If you haven't stretched in a while, you're definitely going to want to take it easy. Just pick a few stretches that you can do in the comfort of your own home. Create a routine that you can do on a daily basis. As you become more flexible, add a few more stretches into your schedule. Over time, you will gain flexibility and strength, and may be able to add another easygoing exercise into your life.
Swimming
Swimming is so much fun, and it's also incredibly good for the body. When you get in the water, you become virtually weightless. The buoyancy of the water takes the stress off of the muscles and joints. This makes swimming an excellent exercise for anyone suffering from pain in the body. Just like walking, swimming can be made as challenging or as easygoing as you need it to be. Do what works for you, and you will notice that your stamina and your body composition improves as time goes on.
It doesn't matter how slow or easy you need your exercise to be. The benefit is in the movement. Use these exercises to get your body moving in a comfortable but effective way. Over time, you'll get better and better, your health will improve, and you'll begin to feel better than you have in years.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Encinitas, Calif.