100,000 years ago, we were constantly on the move—hunting, gathering, walking long distances, and using our bodies for almost everything we did. It’s estimated that we spent more than 3,000 minutes a week moving. That’s a lot of activity!
Fast forward to today. Our lifestyle has drastically changed. We use cars to get around, we sit behind desks when we work, and machines and technology have replaced jobs that once required manual labor. Now, if we move just 300 minutes a week, we are considered extremely active. We have gone from constant motion to sitting for long stretches of time.
Create movement throughout your day.
But here’s the good news: you don’t have to overhaul your entire routine to be more active. The Habits of Healthy Motion focuses on increasing your activity level—with exercise as the ultimate if not immediate goal—which is essential to disease prevention and Optimal Health. But exactly what that means day to day is different for everyone. And it doesn’t require drastic changes.
You can add more movement to your day by building it onto your existing habits. For example, parking farther from the entrance to the store or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Small changes like these can add up over time and make a big difference. And remember, if the degree of effort is too high, it can become unsustainable. In other words, don’t take on too much at a time. You can’t sail across the ocean if you’ve never steered a boat. So start small, celebrate your progress as you go, and gradually build your healthy habits.
Every bit of movement, no matter how small, counts.
We don’t need to spend all day hunting or walking across the plains looking for a new shelter anymore, but our bodies do need movement every day. Whether you do lunges at work or add 5 minutes to your daily walk, every little bit of movement counts.
This journey isn’t about being perfect, it’s about creating Optimal Health and Wellbeing–at your own pace. So get up and start building movement back into your day. You’ve got this!
Don’t forget to check in with our community to let us know how you’re doing and to share tips about what works best for you! You never know who you could be helping.