One of my favorite things about living in Colorado is how much easier it is for me to stay active. Nearly every single day, I wake up to sunny skies which makes it so much easier to want to get outside and get moving.
The last few months of my second pregnancy, I really emphasized moving my body every single day. I found that even just a quick walk or 20 minute workout made such a difference in how I felt the rest of the day. For me, it’s one of those habits, where the more I do it, the more my body craves it.
Even when things really started to get tiring, I still found that exercising or walking every day was so dang beneficial to my overall health, that I managed to stick with it. I might have been moving slower and slower once I hit 35 weeks, but I still made it happen!
Just for reference, daily movement doesn’t have to be a crazy, intense workout, and for me, it rarely is! I prefer low impact workouts and long walks more than anything else. For me, it’s what makes me feel best, but do what makes you feel good!
6 Benefits of Daily Movement
Better Sleep
Far and away, when I’m moving regularly—I aim for 10K steps, a workout or at least 30 active minutes a day (according to my FitBit), I always sleep so much better. It’s easier for me to fall asleep, as long as I don’t workout too close to bedtime, and I end up staying asleep throughout the night too.
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More Energy
Whenever I wake up feeling sluggish, a walk or yoga flow always turns around my energy. A big glass of water never hurts either! And, when you’re getting regular exercise and more sleep, your energy starts to go up anyway.
RELATED: 4 Tips for Boosting your Energy
Boosts Creativity & Focus
Fun fact, walking or even pacing can actually boost your creativity. I remember doing this when I’d get stuck on a coding issue back when I had a web design business. I also find that I get some of my best, clearest ideas while I’m out walking. Because daily movement helps boost your mood naturally, it’s easier to think more clearly and stay focused.
Improve Mental Health
Whenever I’m in a funk, I like to get outside. It’s so grounding for me to be out in nature, listening to the sounds and letting my feet hit the pavement. By the time I’m done, I’m always in such a good head space and have a sunnier outlook on anything that’s been bothering me.
Reduces Stress
Stress is the worst, isn’t it?! I’ve had periods of my life where stress has literally made me sick. One of the quickest ways to decrease your stress levels and start feeling better is to exercise. Go for a run or a long walk to help clear your mind. Whenever I do this, I always come back and realize the thing I was stressed about really isn’t that big of an obstacle after all.
RELATED: 6 Simple Tips for Kicking Stress to the Curb
Boost Immune System
Exercising gets your blood pumping and keeps your body in great shape. I think all these other benefits really play into this one as well. Our immunity starts in our gut and when you’re not sleeping well, stressed and anxious all the time, it takes a toll on your gut, which means your immune system is compromised. Stay active and stay healthy!
This is really where that whole body health concept comes into play! It’s easy to forget that our bodies are holistic, connected creations until you start paying attention to how one small daily change can greatly impact so many areas of your life.
Do you prioritize daily movement? If so, what’s your favorite way to get moving? And, how do you feel when you’re regularly making it a part of your routine?
BTW, my favorite at-home workouts, and an easy trick to get stronger arms in 2 weeks.
