Movement Matters: Part Two
In part 2 of Why Movement Matters we want to dive into how movement can be used to benefit your health, no matter what the condition with which we are currently dealing. But first, let’s quickly define what we mean by “movement.”
Movement consists of moving around throughout our day, such as: going to the gym for a hard workout, doing yoga, or just sitting still and focusing on breathing. These are all forms of movement where we merely adjust our intensity in order to obtain a specific outcome.
Depending on your current health status and what you’re trying to improve or achieve, our goal is to find the right intensity for your particular situation. The biggest thing to understand is that our body’s functions revolve around movement and they cannot thrive with subpar movement quality and quantity.
Now, in order to save you from having to read a textbook-sized article, I won’t detail every single way movement benefits our health, I will however dive into some of the biggest things movement can do for our health journey.
Do you have problems detoxing? Are you always fighting some virus or infection?
Our lymphatic system is a network of tissues and organs whose job is to rid the body of toxins and waste. Think of it like a circuit pumping close to 2 liters of a fluid containing infection fighting white blood cells. The pumping mechanism for this circuit being our muscles. If the muscles aren’t moving, we are not moving those toxins out of our bodies which causes them to get clogged up in areas which results in pain.
The needed movement doesn’t have to be intense. Rebounding on a trampoline and jumping rope are often recommended for lymphatic circulation. Many times, you will hear us encouraging our patients and clients to take extended walks and perform full body mobility routines. These create better circulation of blood flow and lymphatic fluids.
Are your hormones imbalanced?
Exercise and movement, as long as intensity and volume are manageable, improve every marker for our hormones. Regular physical exercise has been shown to help balance estrogen levels for women and increase testosterone levels in men. Research has shown, increasing leg strength and standing with good posture, can also be two big influencers on our hormone levels.
Think about the hormones regulating metabolism? Perhaps you are having resistance to insulin and a hard time losing body fat? Regular physical exercise has been proven to be one of the best ways to manage insulin and blood sugar levels in the body. Exercise lowers insulin levels and can help improve insulin sensitivity over time, thus making losing body fat easier.
How about mental health?
This one really hits home for me, as it is the number one reason I started and maintain a dedicated movement practice. I have had quite a few concussions and traumas, so long-term brain health is obviously my main concern. I want to do everything I can to make sure I am mentally sharp for my family as long as is possible. Studies have shown exercise increases dopamine and endorphin levels in the brain. These two chemicals help us decrease stress,feel happy, and fight off symptoms of depression. Exercise also releases serotonin, which helps promote a good night of sleep.
What about aging?
Exercise and movement have been shown to help aid in learning, slowing the decline of aging, and even reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Specifically, doing things that require coordination and balance, or work the aerobic system have shown the most improvements. We like to recommend dancing, hiking, Martial Arts (my favorite is to train Jiu-Jitsu) or any form of play to help with this.
Amazing isn’t it?
Wow, from removing toxins in the body, to improving hormones, and helping us feel good and stay mentally sharp, it is almost as if we were meant to move—and that is the point. It is all about managing the intensity to what we need. Don’t not move because you might not be at a point in your current health status to go crush it in the gym. Find a way to move your body in an intensity that is right for you. Your health will improve much faster than if you’re standing still.
Movement is the medicine we can take every day. So start now, MOVE, and start Living Free.
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