The Body in Motion II

Human bodies just love to keep moving, but sometimes we absent-mindedly live a life in chairs, in cars, on screens, and lost in thought. This month let’s appreciate our capacity for motion and delight in connecting to our physical form, no matter our level of skill or ability! Even if all you do is add a five-minute walk, or get up from your desk and stretch a few times a day, your body will thank you. This challenge offers a chance to reconnect with your body and add just a bit of extra physical fitness to your life–another part of building resilience: mind, heart, body and soul.

Habit:
Stretching
Strength building
Cardio

Daily:
Pay attention to your body in motion. Feel those muscles working!

To Do:
Try a different physical activity. Your body loves variety.
Do something physical you really love. Dance, swim, jump on your bed… whatever brings you joy!

Reflection:
In revisiting this challenge, I thought it was really helpful to break down the types of exercise one might do into separate habits–I can always use more motivation to do my stretches! And launching this challenge at the beginning of winter was valuable for me, too. I tend to get sluggish and reluctant to go outdoors and walk as it gets colder.

Unfortunately, I managed to really overdo it with this challenge! I walked a great deal, and enjoyed it immensely… but by the end of the month I was suffering from some plantar fasciitis. Just a reminder to take it in moderation, my friends!

Parsons Brook pond, late afternoon. Took this picture on one of my many walks!