Breathe In, Breathe Out

I sometimes hear people say they hate to exercise. Maybe we need to get away from the word "exercise" and think of it as moving and breathing. A slow, short, easy walk is better than no exercise at all. You don't need to pay a membership fee or buy any special clothes or equipment. And starting out walking slowly is a good way to make sure you won't get injured and sidelined. There are so many ways to move and breathe that surely even those who have always hated exercise could find a way to do it. I have a friend with a bad knee. She swims several times a week; no strain on her knees in the water. Another friend who suffers from fibromyalgia goes to a stretch class, and it has helped her pain immensely. A man who lives in a cold climate drives to the local mall early in the morning and walks inside with some friends. Another man plays in a recreational basketball league. I arrive at my dance/exercise class five minutes early to stretch, something I didn't need to do ten years ago. But it helps me avoid injury. Whatever the physical limitations, you can still find a way to move and breathe.

The physical health benefits of taking care of your body are obvious. But it is a proven fact that exercise elevates the mood and can help alleviate stress. Those endorphins kick in and we feel better. We tend to take shallow breaths when we are under stress, and when we exercise we breathe deeply.

Moving and breathing. It's as simple as that.

Susan