“My body is being stubborn. At this awful point again where I don’t know to rest it or get it moving.”
I texted that to a hand and wrist specialist on the 25thof May 2018. I had just recently returned from a year abroad and was about six months into doing sustained exercise (in the form of weekly then bi-weekly Kundalini yoga classes) for the first time since ‘chronic fatigue’ (aka human ruination) flattened me in October 2014. The yoga was definitely doing its magic but my body was still in a lot of pain. Like, really, a lot. After three years of stagnation, I figured this should be expected but I was afraid of pushing too hard and finding myself back in bed. I was thrilled to be moving again but wasn’t all this pain and fatigue a sign to hit the breaks?
“Get it moving…” That was the response. I did keep it moving and am extremely thankful for that. So much so I’ve kept the message and still glance at it periodically to draw gratitude and inspiration. And that’s my message to you…
Get It Moving.
Our modern ‘Western’ society reaps many benefits. In many aspects it’s moving at hyper speed. The human body however is not moving. Ours is now a sedentary society. We sit a lot. In fact, all adults in non-manual labor jobs (which is the vast majority) sit on average for six hours per day. And that’s on average. For office work, aka computer work, that number balloons to 12 to 13 hours every day. Factor in sleeping, you’re basically not moving for 21 of the 24 hours.
This is not how humans were designed and evolved to exist,
and the seeds are being sown.
Excessive sitting, aka not moving, is attributed to cardiovascular disease via cholesterol issues, weakened blood flow and metabolic dysfunction in the form of hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes risk (high blood sugar) and excess fat. Bones become less dense and therefore more brittle and the bodies overall musculature is weaker. A very recent study (October 2018) published by the esteemed Cleveland Clinic quantified the all risk mortality (or risk of death) to be 500% higher for humans who do not exercise. This makes being sedentary a greater health risk factor than smoking, high blood pressure and diabetes.
This is serious stuff, folks.
Note that I haven’t yet used the word exercise. Which is great, there’s no two ways about it. Unless you’re training excessively, which you will feel, exercise is great.
The key here is to move.
And not to sit. Just taking the opportunity to stand the next time you are waiting somewhere, that’s a win. No matter what level of activity you find yourself at, do something to move. Even 10 to 15 minutes of stretching and/or walking a few times a week is good. Anything that takes you from zero to something is better, and there are a bunch of simple yet effective strategies to up your movement levels to explore.
The eventual goal is full on exercise, of which a weekly goal of between four and five hours a week of a mix of intensity levels is recommended by Dan Pardi of humanOS.me, a health expert in the context of modernity people can check out.
Exercise is the wonder drug the pharmaceutical companies wish they could patent. Except it’s on the natch. From mental to physical wellbeing, study after study after study show unequivocally that exercise is as or more effective than any drug in combatting dis-ease and maintaining health and wellbeing. No nasty side effects either (aside from temporary muscle pain). And even those side effects are at least natural and will naturally adjust as you adjust regularity and intensity.
Here are just 5 studies published in 2019 alone:
- Exercise induced muscle hormone reduces risk of Alzheimer’s
- Lactate released during exercise has positive effect of glucose tolerance
- 3 months of training increased mood-enhancing effects
- Exercise is more effective than medicine in reducing fat per 17 trials
- Physical activity lowers risk for depression
An enormous amount of scientific literature exists concluding exercise is beneficial in preventing, managing, treating and/or reversing dis-ease. Physical to mental. It also does nice things like keep your skin looking young and tight.
Like so much, this resurgent emphasis on exercise is simply a re-learning of wisdom known in antiquity.
“Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being,
while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it.”
That from the brainy brains of Plato two and a half thousand years ago.
Do not underestimate your body. It is a powerhouse of complexity and resilience, tirelessly attempting to return to a state of balance and health. But we have to provide our bodies with the right ingredients and moving is a nonnegotiable ingredient.
Truly, do not let where you are right now prevent you from moving.
Every journey begins with a single step.
So, Get It Moving.
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Disclaimer:
Remember dear reader, I am neither a doctor nor any sort of medical physician in any capacity. None of the information presented above can be construed as any sort of medical advice in any sort of manner. You as the reader is solely responsible for creating and implementing your own physical, mental and emotional well-being, decisions, choices and actions. As such, the reader agrees that the author is not and will not be liable or responsible for any actions or inaction taken by the reader or for any direct or indirect results. This information is simply presented and whatever you decide to do with it is your choice and your responsibility.
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