You know what helps boost mood? You guessed it, just moving that awesome body of yours.
It's true! There are many studies out there that show getting active is one way to boost overall brain health. Having a consistent routine where you get your heart pumping can decrease the effects of stress on the body, improve mental health and mood, and improve memory and cognition. 30 minutes 3-5 days a week is the recommended amount of activity the average person should be getting in order to realize the benefits.
Not enough time to get that 30 minutes in?
Take your phone calls on the road. These days most meetings are taking place remotely or over the phone. If you get to have a meeting, talk with a colleague, or simply talk to a friend over the phone, take that call on a walk. Set a rule that for every call you have you need to walk the duration of the call. You will be surprised how many 30 minute sessions you can get in in a day! I think you'll also be surprised how much you'll start enjoying taking those calls on the move and in the great outdoors.
Remember, there are 1,440 minutes in every 24 hour day we are given. You just need to take 30 of those to get active. 30. Do you scroll on social media for 30 minutes in a day? get moving instead. Look at how many other things you are doing for 30 minutes or longer within your day and see if they contribute to your overall wellbeing. If the answer is no, switch it out for something that gets your heart pumping. It'll be worth it.
Don't enjoy working out?
Absolutely nobody said that exercising needs to be miserable. The goal is to move for 30 minutes, that's it! Find something you enjoy doing and do it for 30 minutes... hell, even doing it for 15 minutes will be beneficial! What are the things that you used to love doing when you were a kid? Hop scotch? Get yourself some chalk, grab your kids and get going. Jump rope? Grab one and see what you can do. See how long you can do it and make it a game. Play tag in the yard? Grab your family and get after it. It really doesn't matter what you do, just find something fun and do it! Switch it up and find new things to try too. This keeps it fun and interesting and also gives you something to look forward to.
Kids are home and don't have alone time to get moving?
INCLUDE them and start those good habits early! Show them that exercise can be fun by doing fun active things every day together. Show them that exercise doesn't have to be a chore if they don't want it to be. Teach them how important it is for their brain, lungs and heart to be active.
Did you know that childhood obesity is continuing to increase in the US year over year? For children and adolescents aged 2-19 years, the prevalence of obesity was 18.5%. This equates to about 13.7 million children and adolescents with obesity. Obesity prevalence was 13.9% among 2 - 5 year-olds, 18.4% among 6 - 11 year-olds, and 20.6% among 12 -19 year-olds.
These are super scary statistics you guys! Make a goal to go on a family walk after dinner, play tag as a family, have a dance party or whatever else you can come up with to get those cute little bodies moving... as well as yours.
Weather sucks where you are?
I get it... anyone who knows me know that i'm a 75 and sunny kind of girl. So keep your workout inside! These days you can find all sorts of fun workouts online... and they're free! Search for something you enjoy; learn a new dance, do yoga, pilates, Zumba, body pump... you name it it's out there! And guess what, the best part about this is that all you have to do is find the video and start doing what they're telling you to do. You don't even have to think about it, you just have to start.
There will be a million and a half excuses to not get active and I will tell you, starting is the toughest part. But once you find something you enjoy and get into a routine you will look forward to that time and you will feel so good!
Be good to your body so it can return the favor and take care of you for a really really long time.
Remember, exercise does not have to be a punishment. It really is a gift to be able to be active. Take advantage, get after it and enjoy all of the mood boosting benefits!
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