Rich Habits - Day 3

Rich Habits - Day 3

Get moving in the morning

One of the most important rich habits is exercise. Today, we will look at what aspects of exercise are most important, especially in the morning. Those who already have the habit will discover missing links, and those who don’t will probably be able to get started.

Notice that in the heading, we have mentioned, “Get moving in the morning.” The idea here is to give your body any form of movement — running, yoga, weight training, aerobics, cycling, swimming,sports, etc.

Why get moving: The Science

Research ?(see link) shows that regular exercise (at least 3 times per week) is a habit that helps people to start eating better, have more patience, be less stressed, reduce alcohol/ smoking and generally be more productive and happy. Also, the physical benefits of exercise in terms of getting better sleep, getting muscle toning, adding life expectancy, etc. has been extensively studied and documented.

How to get moving: The Art

If you are one of those who is irregular in exercising, these tips will work:

The secret to get moving is to do anything that makes you feel alive and vibrant. Do not assume exercising means you have to hit the gym or take a yoga class. It can simply be playing a sport, cycling, or even walking. But the idea is to do it before you begin the day so that it sets the tone for the rest of your day.

Secondly, if you do not have the habit of exercising, begin with 10 to 15 minutes every day or 20 to 30 minutes every alternate day. You can gradually increase it over a few months. Also, do the activities you like. Do not worry about getting a good exhausting workout. What is more important is doing it consistently.

It is also recommended that you do it right after you wake up so that there is no resistance in the mind. You can keep your running shoes in your bedroom so that the moment you wake up, you are reminded, and you can head out.

Some practical tips: The Craft

Here are some solutions to some problems that may arise as you experiment or improve this habit:

I don’t enjoy exercising!

That is why we have recommended to move your body through an activity you enjoy. Can you jump on a trampoline, play with your children, or start participating in a sport?

This is impossible. I have tried it and have given up.

Ultimately, your body is the only thing you have. Move your body at least for 15 minutes every day and gradually increase it.

My mornings are bad. I cannot do it in the morning.

Try doing it before you begin your work-day whenever that is. Else, just do it whenever you get time, so long as you are doing it regularly.

I am not sure if I am doing it the right way.

Focus first on getting a regular habit of moving your body than on doing it perfectly. Among various dos and don’t’s, ensure you follow just these two rules at a minimum in the beginning: Get a warm-up of 5 minutes for your joints as a part of your routine. Get your body moving regularly,at least three times a week.

I go for a walk daily. Is that movement?

It is a movement if it is a brisk walk. If it is a lazy walk, it is not.

I already have this habit.

Fantastic. If it is less than 30 minutes, increase it gradually. If not, then mix and match a variety of routines to ensure that you are getting the right balance of strength, flexibility, and endurance. Weight Training, Yoga, and Cardiovascular activities such as running or aerobics’ are useful to achieve strength, flexibility, and endurance, respectively.