Wellness’ is a term used by so many people around the world. What exactly is wellness? The Global Wellness Institute defines wellness as the “active pursuit of activities, choices and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health”
Functional Medicine doctor Mark Hyman’s take on the elements required for wellness wellness and longevity is shown in the attached diagram.
Today, lets focus on body and movement. Institute of Health Sciences describes physical activity as “any bodily movement associated with muscular contraction that increases energy expenditure above resting levels.” Physical activity includes formal exercise, swimming, yoga, hiking but often forgotten is ‘Non Activity Exercise Thermogenics’ or ‘NEAT’ forms of movement. This includes hoovering and cleaning the house, spending time in the garden and playing with your dog!
Right now many of our fitbits show record levels of steps and movement due to ongoing lockdowns. The NHS in the UK has reported that just 15 minutes of exercise a day can boost life expectancy by three years, and cut death risk by 14%.
The main categories in Physical Activity include: NEAT, Aerobic
HIIT, Strength / Resistance Training and Flexibility.
We know that exercise can help with our metabolism, weight management, elimination in the digestive tract and good bone health. Mental Health benefits include increased sense of wellbeing, stress management, higher energy levels, improved sleep, increased move and reduced anxiety.
As we head into a new week, what goal will you set to increase your physical activity and wellbeing?
My own personal goals this week are to
* complete 3 sessions of yoga online @infinityhotyoga16
* 5KM with my furry friends and not so furry friends 5 times this week
* up my NEAT activity doing some decluttering projects in my house
*Sign up for the weekly Sunday meditation class with @sweat25studios starting tonight at 8PM. It is only thirty minutes 