As I write this, here in London we are beginning to crawl out of the trenches of winter. Spring is showing sweet signs of its arrival, which gives us hope. It feels like a sigh of relief, seeing the first few blooms. Spring birds, is going to support our return to our own blossoming. Many of us struggle to keep the flow of training and to nurture our wellbeing during the long winter months. And rightly so, everything in our environment is telling us to hibernate. For four long months, we are stripped of natural light, weighed down by a blanket of cloud and left gagging for vitamin d. It's tough, we all know it's tough and yet every year we find ourselves here. However, I am learning, and every year I add to my long list of ways to support my immunity, physical and mental health. Fitness and wellbeing is my life, it's my job and my passion. However, I do understand it's not as easy to prioritise for everyone. Which is why I'm here writing this - with the hope I can share nuggets of gold to inspire and re-inspire you to prioritise your wellbeing.
More than likely, you live a sedentary (and stressful) life. Unfortunately that's our era - working like a dog, trying to make ends meet in a difficult climate, caring for our children, caring for our parents. This is the crux of our general poor wellbeing.
So birds, for the month of March we are going to move our body daily birds. The goal: To consciously move your body every day of March (March has 31 days, but 30 has a better ring to it). What that daily movement looks like for you it up to you. But let's set some foundations to create the best chance of success, so birds, ask yourself:
1. How do I feel right now? Try and be specific. Do I feel well? Energised? Do I feel strong? Do I feel rested? Perhaps the answers are: I feel tired, weak, brain fogged, mentally overwhelmed, overweight, sick, sore in my neck/back/hips. Write this down.
2. How do I want to feel in 30 days? Try and be specific. Energised. Strong. Empowered. Pain free. More open in my body. Positive. More open in ...... (a particular part of the body). Calm. Connect. Consistent. Dedicated. Creative.
Write this down.
Now use this information to support your month of daily movement. Direct the type of movement to reflect your goals or your 'feeling' for the end. Of course movement it just one piece of the puzzle birds.
To embody complete wellness you need to look into the five pillars of your life:
1. Movement
2. Nutrition (including pollutants such as food, air, water, digital)
3. Environment - work, social connections, emotional and mental and spiritual values
4. Sleep
5. Stress & Hormones
However it's important not to overwhelm yourself with making too many changes. So let's start with daily movement, and allow this to play a role in a positive domino effect.
Here are our five areas of daily movement to consider:
1. Strength Training (read our blog on why strength training should be prioritised)
2. Mobility, stretching and foam rolling
3. The thing you enjoy most eg. 'running, swimming, climbing'
4. Meditation and breath work 5. Walking
Yes, I know number four is not movement. But you don't need me to tell you endless physical and mental benefits of meditation and breath work. Stopping, to do nothing, to self-regulate and to check in with yourself is so needed in this world of 'doing' and overstimulation. So, how will you stay committed? Let us support you birds: 1. Join our What's App group for accountability
2. Print out a March calendar and check off your daily movement
3. Invite members of your family, community or workplace to join you
4. Announce what you are doing with your network
The reasons behind the above - you are more likely to succeed if you share you goals with others and have a 'movement' buddy. Ok birds, so three days left of Feb, are you ready to Fly for 30 Days with us? We couldn't be more ready. Let's spring back to life birds. Shani x
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