We all know that physical activity is important for overall health. The CDC recommends 150 minutes of vigorous activity a week, which boils down to 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. But some studies are showing that this may actually be the very minimum you need to reap the benefits of exercise. Also, you don’t have to do the 30 minutes all at once. Studies have also shown that breaking the 30 minutes over the day is just as effective. Many of my patients will tell you about our lengthy conversations about how to get moving. If you take a 3 minute walk 10 times a day—BAM 30 minutes!
So how do I get moving? GREAT QUESTION. You have to find what motivates you. I am a runner. I love the outside, I despise gyms and in home gym equipment—or at least I did. Then I had my 3rd kid—well that kind of changes my ability to do what I want, when I want (one would argue that occurred after child #1—but for me it was with #3). That is when I discovered PELOTON—which has changed my life, for the better. If you know me, you know that I am in a very serious relationship with my bike—though now my bike has some competition because I invested in the treadmill in January. (Thank goodness, just in time to be stuck only at home during a pandemic with a deployed husband and three kids—where’s the wine?)
The point in this is not to tell you to spend money on a Peloton (though I think EVERYONE should as it is such a great partner), the point is—FIND WHAT WORKS FOR YOU. Whether it is a group of running buddies—yes I still meet mine a few times a week (usually streaming my Peloton app on my Airpods in the background) because this is my community, my support, my people. Or it is that CrossFit class that you just cannot live without. Just do you! Whatever it is, just do it (Nike was totally onto something when they coined this phrase)
Not only are we promoting physical health, heart health, brain health—yes the brain works better when stimulated through exercise—but we are promoting mental health. Remember those little guys call endorphins, your happy floaters. These are released when you move—so MOVE!!
It doesn’t have to cost a penny to move. Take a walk around your neighborhood, go for a swim, take a hike—JUST MOVE!
…until next time, #IrishDoc07