Monday Health $ Wellness

The Importance of Movement

I had to learn this the hard way.

When I moved back to Seattle… my body felt it immediately.

I’ve lived with arthritic pain for a long time.

But when I was in Las Vegas? That dry heat worked in my favor.

I moved more.

I lived in the pool for about 8 months out of the year.

My body stayed active without me even thinking about it.

Then I came home.

Six years later… different environment, different conditions—and my body responded.

All it took was one simple movement… bending over to plug something in.

I came up with radiculopathy on my right side.

Then winter hit.

And my arthritis? Full force.

So what did I do?

I moved less.

Not because I didn’t want to…

but because the pain was real.

That first year, I still pushed myself to go into work.

The second winter, I was approved to work from home during the winter —and now i’ve been working from home ever since.

At that point, my focus shifted.

I leaned into meditation.

Mindset.

Managing the pain mentally.

And it helped.

But here’s the part I had to face…

I wasn’t moving.

And when you stop moving?

Your muscles don’t just pause… they weaken.

I became deconditioned.

So now?

I’m rebuilding.

My focus is on strengthening my body again—especially my core, hips, and legs.

Not fast.

Not forced.

But intentionally.

Because movement isn’t optional… it’s necessary.

Why Movement Matters

Movement is one of the simplest forms of medicine we have.

It helps:

improve circulation

strengthen muscles and

bones support

metabolism

reduce inflammation

improve brain function

It also plays a major role in mental health—reducing stress, easing anxiety, and helping with depression.

And the truth is… it doesn’t have to be intense.

Even light movement matters.

Walking.

Stretching.

Getting up and shifting your body throughout the day.

Because the opposite—being still for too long—can lead to:

increased inflammation

reduced mobility

higher risk of chronic conditions

more pain, not less

What I’m Learning

Movement isn’t about pushing through pain.

It’s about working with your body.

It’s about:

consistency over intensity

small steps over big leaps

listening instead of ignoring

Right now, I’m doing the work.

Physical therapy.

Intentional exercises.

Paying attention to what my body needs.

And slowly?

I’m getting stronger.

Real Talk

If you’re in pain, I understand why you stop moving.

But staying still too long can make it harder to come back.

Movement doesn’t have to be perfect.

It just has to happen.

Even if it’s small.

Even if it’s slow.

Because your body was designed to move.

And when you start again…

it remembers.

Lady Flava Wellness 🌻