There’s one thing we can all do to improve our health in every season, it costs nothing, requires no equipment, and is guaranteed to give you an immediate boost of energy and improve your mood and all you have to do is get up and move any way you like.

Everyone knows exercise is good for you. The science of exercise has been taken to extremes over the past 3 decades. Since the fitness craze of the 1980’s, people have been testing the limits of the body and it’s recovery processes, and it has yielded incredible feats, marathons run in 2hr and 1m, and weightlifting, sprinting, swimming records broken year after year.

These feats are inspirational, but for most of us, we just want to feel fit and vital.
With our routines completely up-ended due to the pandemic, gyms, restaurants and leisure time places closed, and no longer commuting to work; many of us aren’l leaving the house except to get groceries.

Preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus still remains an important health measure, but the shift to a more sedentary lifestyle is posing health risks on par with Covid-19. When it comes to our bodies, stillness equals illness. Our bodies were designed for movement; engaging our muscles increases our heart rate, causing the lungs to expand, pumping fresh oxygenated blood through our tissues and organ systems, cleansing our internal environment and improving our whole body’s function.

When we stay physically still, so do our fluid systems. Stagnation takes place as circulation slows through our veins, arteries, liver, kidneys, gut and brain. This causes us to feel sluggish, and affects our mood and ability to motivate.

The good news is you can improve this almost instantly. A study done in 2011 showed that just 1 min of exercise a day could prevent type 2 diabetes. The opposite end of the limits of our bodies, obviously, but it shows the inherent value of moving our bodies.

So if you’re feeling inertia setting in, it may be time to refocus and get organized. Set a schedule for yourself, set a timer if you need the reminder, stretch, do yoga or push ups, squat, lunge, jump, dance, or get outside, even if it’s cold, even if just for a minute.

If you’re feeling more adventurous this winter, and willing to purchase some equipment, try ice skating, snow-shoeing, cross-county or skate-skiing, or just go on a good old fashioned hike in some warm boots and cold weather gear.

And if you live in a warmer climate, well, you have no excuse – get out there… the time outdoors in nature is certain to boost your spirit as well.

Find out more about the author:

Jeremy Quniby

Jeremy Quinby has been improving the health and well-being of individuals, families and communities for the past 25 years.

At intersection of manual therapies, mental health support, orthopedics, pain management, and newborn and pediatric care, he has become known as a bridge-builder between many fields of care.