Movement for everyday wellbeing
To kick off our Four Pillars of Wellness series, local Barre and Pilates teacher, nutritionist and health and wellness advocate, Cat Fawcett-Cornes, talks all things movement
Our bodies are designed to move but compared with previous generations, constant phone use, convenience stores for food, office jobs, sedentary lifestyles and long commutes have put us more at risk of inactivity and unhealthy practices. We all should aim to do at least some physical activity every day, even if it’s only five minutes, as every little bit counts.
Movement is vital for overall wellness and a healthy lifestyle at all stages of life. Exercise helps us sleep, keeps our metabolism at its optimum and pumps blood around our body (think glowing skin). It keeps our joints healthy, bones resilient, circulation and heart strong, cognitive health and learning skills optimal. Guidelines recommend 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity over the course of a week. On top of this, try taking opportunities to be more active when you can.
Moving our bodies is about more than just the physical benefits. It also does wonders for our mental health. When we move and sweat, we release toxins which can help shift negative feelings. When we are active, our body releases ‘happy’ chemicals including dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin into the brain. These ‘happy’ neurotransmitters are associated with positive feelings and functions within the body and the mind.
“Don’t be hard on yourself because all movement adds up”
We know we need adequate sleep, good nutrition, and sunlight, but we also need to move our bodies every day to feel great and help keep a healthy weight throughout our lifetime. As we age, we need to keep up our exercise and add in some weight-bearing movement to prevent disease, lower the risk of falls, continue looking after mental health, and maintain cognitive function. Exercising with hand or ankle weights or using your own body weight with squats, push-ups and even daily activities like gardening and carrying children, are all great for strengthening.
You may find it challenging to make time for planned exercise, get to the gym, or wake up for that 6am pump class, but don’t be hard on yourself because all movement adds up. Try to add daily exercise wherever you can. Start small and most of the time, you won’t know you’re even doing it. Some ideas could be taking the stairs, cleaning the house, parking the car further away from your work or coffee spot, going for a walk with a friend, heading to the beach or pool for a swim, playing with the kids, or having a dance in your living room. Remember, every little bit counts towards a healthy body and mind.
Start small and move today for a better tomorrow.