Our days are filled with waiting. We wait in line at the bank, at the grocery store, and the farmer’s market. We wait at red lights and for sports, dance, and piano practice to be over.
Our days are made of moments and those moments spent waiting are typically filled with social scrolling or other mindless activities. We are simply waiting for the next thing.
Being a parent does not often allow for lengthy workouts, or large chunks of time devoted to self-care. That’s precisely why it’s important to make the most of the many moments that fill the spaces between the plethora of commitments that fill our days.
You may have heard that “sitting is the new smoking”, but wondered what you are supposed to do about it as you fill your days with driving your keiki here and there on this beautiful island we call home, or wait for the heart-felt conversation between the farmer and the person in front of you in line to come to a close.
You can squeeze fitness in the space between all the waiting. Make the most of these moments and you’ll realize that there’s no reason to waste even 30 seconds on being frustrated or bored. You may even begin to look forward to waiting!
Mini-moves (red lights, short lines, quick phone calls)
- Calf raises. Spread your toes, soften your knees, draw your belly button to your spine, and lift your heels while maintaining even pressure throughout the ball of your foot.
- Core contraction. Exhale and draw your belly button toward your spine and slightly lift. Engage your pelvic floor and do a kegel (or 3.)
- Release tension. Roll your shoulders a few times, dropping them away from your ears as you lift the crown of your head toward the sky and your belly button toward your spine.
Love the Wait (soccer practice, gymnastics, birthday party pickup)
- Bounce it out. Bouncing and shaking helps your body release any stress that you’ve been holding. Try to let every part of your body shake and shimmy. Grab some friends and shake together to normalize stress-release.
- Ab-tastic. Wherever you go, find a place to plank. Line your hands (or elbows if you’re resting on your forearms), under your shoulders, turn your toes under, lift your belly button toward your spine, keeping your body in one long line. Take full breaths, drawing your belly up as you exhale, engaging your whole body to support you.
- Stretch yourself. Most of us do not take the time to stretch our bodies, even though we use them all day long. Bring a towel or blanket to lay on, and stretch out anywhere you notice tension. Lay on your back and do some twists or drop your heels off a curb and let those calves lengthen.
