Small moves for a healthier you: Simple ways to make a big difference
It’s easy to get caught in the trap of thinking you need to have a major life overhaul to make any kind of measurable difference in your health. Trying to change everything all at once or making a change that is not sustainable is a sure path to reverting to old habits. Rather than going on yet another extreme diet or injuring yourself by trying the latest trendy workout, consider adding in some small shifts that, over time, will make a big difference in how you feel.
Wake with intention. Don’t leave it up to your algorithm to set the tone for your day. Leave your phone on the charger and decide how you want to show up for your day in the first moments of it. Maybe it’s feeling a generative emotion or repeating a mantra that is anchored in truth. It can be as simple as taking a few deep breaths and imagining how it feels to have an abundance of energy. Bring that feeling with you into everything you do afterwards.
Give yourself a hug from the inside. You have a set of muscles that create a deep layer of support in your center. Called the transverse abdominus, they wrap from your spine, around your waist, meeting at the midline in the front of your abdominal wall. Reconnecting with these muscles throughout the day can provide structural support, help you move with power, and support a healthy pelvic floor. Give them a little squeeze right now, drawing your belly button towards your spine. Make sure you can still breathe while activating these muscles; it’s very different than sucking in your belly.
Replace mindless snacking with movement snacks. It’s been ingrained in so many of us that a workout doesn’t count unless you spend a certain amount of time and end up sweaty and exhausted. The truth is, your body is designed to move throughout the day in all kinds of ways. Decide you’re going to choose a movement snack instead of a mindless snack when you’re bored. Try heel raises while you’re waiting in line at the bank, a set of squats or lunges after hours on the computer, or walking up and down the stairs a couple of times while you’re on the phone all support your body in getting the movement that it needs.
The best part is that none of these shifts need to be complicated or take much time. You can weave them into your day, and over time, you’ll notice that they start to change the way you feel and even your outlook on life.
