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Article Series: Mind, Body, Spirit & Meditation
I Want To Feel Better - Inside & Out
How
To Invigorate Your Life With Movement
Most people love it or hate it. Even for those
who love it, it often took weeks of daily practice to reach
the point at which it became enjoyable. Yes, I’m talking about
exercise. If you haven’t incorporated some form of daily movement
into your life, it’s time to get moving! Studies show
it takes just 21 consecutive days of repeating an activity
to make it
a habit, and exercise is a great habit to get into.
Incorporating movement into your daily activity is important
for the overall health of your body. Increasing your heart
rate strengthens your circulatory system, while the increased
oxygen intake and muscle use provide benefits both inside and
out. A lack of exercise in your routine may be the cause of
your sluggishness, depression, physical weakness and weight
gain. Studies also link sedentary lifestyles to diabetes, coronary
disease, and increased risk of cancer and stroke. You can see
how just a small amount of movement can be so beneficial.
So
exactly how much exercise do we need? Generally the recommendation
is one hour of activity per day, more if you are trying to
lose weight. How much exercise you need depends upon how much
basic movement you already incorporate into your day. A person
on their feet all day at their job will need less than someone
who sits and types all day. An easy but effective goal would
be to walk 10,000 steps per day, using a step-counter. Adding
movement in this way makes it fun, much less tedious than exercise.
However, the health benefits are just as great – the benefits
of walking include more energy, a better mood, a gain in muscle
and extra burned calories. It’s a simple change that can add
noticeable and lasting change.
If the thought of walking 10,000 steps a day doesn’t excite
you, how about dancing 10,000 steps? Dancing is one of the
best (and most fun) ways to get moving and invigorate your
body, and the benefits extend well beyond physical wellness
to include spiritual fulfillment too. In fact, dance is an
important part of many spiritual traditions. In cultures all
around the world, dance is used to inspire creativity, enhance
awareness and connection with the divine, and even convey stories
and ideas.
You can use dance in much the same way in your own life. Dance
to express your heartache and disappointment. Dance to relieve
stress. Dance away your fear and anxiety – and dance to call
in a sense of joy and well-being!
Here are a few simple ways to get started:
First, forget trying to dance perfectly. Many of us have adopted
a belief that we shouldn’t do something until we can do it
perfectly, but the only way to improve our skills is to do
it often, right? Don’t worry about how well you are dancing.
Let go of negative thoughts and focus on how dancing makes
you FEEL. Concentrate on letting your movements soothe and
inspire you, energize and excite you.
Dance by yourself, or with others. If you feel self-conscious
about dancing in front of other people, wait until you have
some time alone at home. Then close the drapes, put on your
favorite music and dance to your heart’s content. As you become
more comfortable with dancing alone, you may want to branch
out and go dancing with your spouse or friends.
You may find that different kinds of music inspire different
moves (and moods). If you want to purge anger or frustration
from your body, you might choose music with a heavy, intense
beat like rock or techno. If you’re feeling joyful and lighthearted,
you might choose classical or new age music to enhance the
mood.
Whether you dance, walk, bicycle, skate or engage in any other
kind of physical activity, find a way to stimulate your mind
and spirit at the same time. As you do, exercise ceases to
be a chore and instead becomes a valuable vehicle for stress
relief, spiritual exploration and self-expression.
Movement Affirmation:
I flow with the rhythm of love, joy and beauty within me.
My body, mind and spirit move harmoniously as one.
Click here for the very best in self-empowerment, personal transformation, guided practices and spiritual awakening. I am positive that these programs will exceed your expectations and I am thrilled to have this as part of SolveYourProblem.
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by SolveYourProblem.com
: 2008
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