Thursday Health & Wellness

Don’t Forget the Rest of Your Body

As many of you know, I have been dealing with mobility challenges and chronic pain. Because of that, much of my focus has been on my lower body.

I think about:

• Moving my legs
• Sit-to-stands
• Walking when I can
• Improving my balance
• Strengthening my hips

Those things are important.

But this morning I had a realization.

I was sitting in my chair moving my neck and rolling my shoulders when I heard those familiar little pops and cracks. Nothing painful, just my body reminding me that I had not been paying enough attention to my upper body.

It made me think about how easy it is to focus on the area that hurts the most while neglecting the rest of ourselves.

If you have a desk job, work from home, drive for a living, or spend much of your day sitting, your body still needs movement.

Not just your legs.

Your:

• Neck
• Shoulders
• Arms
• Upper back
• Trunk and core

Need movement too.

Our bodies were designed to move. As we age, we hear the same advice over and over again because it is true:

Keep moving.

Movement does not have to be intense.

It can be:

• Gentle neck stretches
• Shoulder rolls
• Arm circles
• Reaching overhead
• Seated twists
• Standing up every hour
• Taking a short walk

Little movements performed consistently can make a big difference over time.

The other reminder is hydration.

Many of us do not drink enough water throughout the day. Water helps keep us hydrated, supports our joints, helps our digestive system function properly, and assists our bodies in flushing out waste.

Recently, I was reminded once again how much our bodies communicate with us when something is off. Sometimes the answer is not complicated. Sometimes we need more movement, more water, or simply to pay attention to what our body has been trying to tell us.

As we get older, movement becomes less about fitness and more about maintaining our quality of life.

Keep moving your body.

All of it.

Your future self will thank you.

🌻 Lady Flava 🌻