Wake up and Walk
99.9% of the time, it’s impossible to see me in a gym. I hate working out, running, extreme workout classes; the list goes on. Daily movement is essential for a functioning mind and body. I found myself feeling tired and sluggish throughout the day, and oftentimes feeling stressed out and anxious. Low-impact workouts became my best friend. Some low-impact workouts I love are yoga, pilates, or even a mix of pilates and strength training like the Solid Core workout classes (they probably have a studio near you ;). While these are great, I want to start at the begging: walking. Walking for just 30 minutes a day can release pent-up stress, get your blood flowing, and improve your heart health. The first thing I do when I wake up is walk. I have my green juice, eat some breakfast, and head outside for a walk. I notice that within the first 10 minutes, I feel some of the stress I carry wash away. I also have sufficient energy to start my day. When I skip walking (which happens almost every school year when I get “too busy”), I have less energy and feel all over the place. The moral of the story: wake up and walk. Walking within the first 30 minutes of waking boosts stamina, and energy, and regulates your circadian rhythm. Additionally, walking outside gives you a boost of Vitamin D for the day, and we all could use some of that. Try waking up and walking, and see how your mental and physical health improves!