Get Your Body Moving!

By Donna Stark

You have been inactive for quite some time now, haven't you? Whether your sedentary lifestyle is the result of an injury or a lifetime of bad habits, it is time to change course. Why? Because your body is craving movement, and it's also the best way to improve your overall health and wellness. But, don't worry! This doesn't mean you need to train for hours and sprint across the finish line. If you haven't been physically active for a while now, your best course of action is to ease into exercise slowly. Take a look at some great activities that will get your body moving and grooving as safely as can be.

Stretching

A sedentary lifestyle will impact your overall health and wellness by wreaking havoc on your joints and muscles. Incorporating stretches into your daily routine will help relieve the joint stiffness and ease the muscle tension that is causing your body to hurt. So, whether you do it in the morning, during breaks at work, or before you go to bed, take the extra time to give your body an amazing stretch.

Walking

You may not consider walking to be much of a workout, but it is one of the best building blocks when it comes to exercise. Walking is joint-friendly, inexpensive, and customizable. The intensity, duration, length, and frequency of this workout are totally up to you. So, go ahead and start out as slowly as you need to, but be sure to consistently challenge your body when it is able.

Swimming

Another friendly workout for those who are getting back into exercise is swimming, or actually, any type of movement in the water. Swimming is a great full-body workout but if you aren't ready to tackle those laps, you can simply walk back and forth through the water or even try your hand at aqua jogging. The water helps support your body and takes the pressure off painful joints so you can move them with ease.  

Stair Climbing

If your body can handle it, find a flight of stairs and take a few minutes to walk up and down. Start off by doing this for just 10 minutes a day. Once it starts to feel less challenging, look for a location that has multiple flights.

A Healthier You

Remember, you have been sedentary for a while so your body may need some extra forgiveness. Be kind to yourself and try to do a little bit more with each passing day. By staying committed to movement, you will be back on the path to better health and wellness in no time!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Temecula, Calif.