Get more movement in your daily routine

 The human body is designed to move freely – to walk, run, climb, crawl, lift, swim and throw.

Yet for many of us, modern day living requires us to spend the majority of our time stagnant, sitting at desks, in cars, or in front of screens.

Unfortunately, it’s not doing us a great deal of good. There have been numerous studies demonstrating the risks of prolonged sitting. Not only does it deteriorate our posture and cause muscular imbalances, it increases the likelihood of developing pretty much every chronic disease known to man.

And an hour in the gym a few times a week probably isn’t going to do much to reverse the damage. It’s what we do most of the time that matters most.

What we really need is to increase our amount of movement throughout the day, before we lose the ability to do so altogether. Here are four simple ways to do just that.

1. START WITH A MORNING ROUTINE

Lately, instead of rushing to start work straight away, I’ve dedicated my early hours to meditation, journaling, and movement. I’ve definitely found that a little mobility and gymnastics work helps to wake up my body and mind, and sets me up right for the day.

Just like any new habit, it’s best to start small. Why not commit to doing the mobility routine at the end of this article? It only takes 5-10 minutes, but can make a big difference if performed regularly.

2. ADJUST YOUR WORKPLACE

We spend the majority of our waking time at work, so it makes sense to try to make it as movement friendly as possible.

One way to reduce sitting time is to install a standing desk. It may not seem like a viable option in your workplace, but many companies are becoming increasingly aware that a healthy workforce is a more productive one, so it may be worth enquiring!

Regular mini breaks can also be valuable. Perhaps set a reminder for every forty minutes on your phone, prompting you to go for a short walk or shake your legs out.

3. MAKE YOUR HOME MOVEMENT FRIENDLY

With a few simple adjustments, you can transform your home into a place that facilitates movement, as opposed to somewhere that restricts it.

Leaving a yoga mat in the hallway can encourage you to stretch anytime you walk past. A pullup bar in a doorframe may also prompt you to do a pullup now and again.

Scattering these little reminders around the house helps to make movement a part of your family’s everyday life.

4. MAKE THINGS DIFFICULT

• Modern life has almost become too comfortable.
• In our caveman days, there were no plush carpets or cosy car journeys. Every day in the wild would require some sort of physical challenge just to survive; yet today we can get away with doing hardly anything.
• Step out of your comfort zone from time to time and make things difficult for yourself. Take the stairs; park your car further from work so you have to walk more; and balance on one leg as you wash the dishes.
• View your surrounding environment as one big playground, and move whenever possible.

Thanks to Luke Jones from hero Health Room.  Find out more about Luke Jones and more plant based recipes here www.herohealthroom.com