Walking
Muscles tensed and back stiff; intervertebral discs absorbing fluid and tightening; lack of circulation: this is your body on a sedentary lifestyle. So, take a hike! And no, this is not intended to be rude. At our office, we are seeing the toll that the 21st century is taking on human spines. Once upon a time, you might have had to walk to the market to get your food, or push a lawn mower to mow the lawn, or use your brain to parallel park your car. But the way of the future is automation: your lawn can now be mowed remotely, your food delivered on a schedule. This is to the detriment of all the working parts of the body and it is time people simply stood up.
A lifestyle that requires long hours sitting in front of the computer followed by long hours of leisure in front of a television screen can be defeated with a simple, committed approach to stretching and walking. If time is money, the spine must be factored into your overall budget. Budgeting a few minutes per hour to give your body a wiggle and your spine a stretch should become a priority. But for many people a lack of awareness creates this sedentary attitude. At our office, we can help you find ways to get moving.
The health benefits of a 30-minute walk:
- Increased circulation
- Better breathing
- Muscles lengthening and moving
- Increased mental acuity
- Decreased stress
- More range of motion and flexibility
So, take a walk and feel your body come alive. For help finding ways to incorporate more walking or stretching into your life, call our office. It may feel funny or almost counterintuitive, but we need to get moving again.