Now that we’re aware of the breath and staying hydrated, let’s get moving! Daily exercise is essential to our well-being. Not only does it help the body stay fit, flexible and healthy, exercise helps us to de-stress mentally and emotionally too. Focussing on the movement helps to disengage the mind from whatever is distressing it and releases endorphins in the brain that promote joy! It’s best to aim for at least 30 min of moderate exercise a day.

We all know the amazing benefits of daily exercise and now that the weather is beautiful, we can even do it outside! It’s a great time of year to go for a jog or a bike ride, beautify your garden or practice yoga in the grass, only to name a few. Breathing in the fresh air and catching some rays has the added benefit of boosting your mood and immune system too!

Sometimes though, it can be hard to find the time or the motivation to exercise. Here are some easy ways to increase the amount you exercise without a massive time commitment. Try parking in the back of the parking lot at work or the store, take the stairs instead of the elevator, stand at your desk as you read or brainstorm for a few minutes every hour, stand or walk when you’re on the phone, walk the dogs an extra block, bike or walk to the corner store or a nearby restaurant. My favorite is to close the door, blast the volume and dance my heart out to a to my favorite pop song!

Try adding 5-10 minutes exercise to your morning and evening routines and build on it as the weeks go. Keep it fresh by doing different things every few days, invite friends and neighbors to join you so its more fun, and set incremental and achievable goals. A great option could be to join one of the charity walks this summer!

Don’t forget to rehydrate after! 😉