Let's Get Moving: Finding Your Favorite Way to Stay Active
Moving your body is amazing! It does some quite amazing things to your brain and how you feel. When I look at all it does, it is really blows me away. We all know it keeps your body healthy. But it also makes you happy. It makes your brain smarter. It kind of is a super power.
And trying different activities, it helps you discover a lot of fun things you can do. So to be active regularly you need to discover those activities you enjoy. It’s about finding activities that make you smile and feel good. Let’s talk about how to create a happy, healthy relationship with movement—your way!
Why Moving is Important
When you move your body, being active everyday you’re doing something incredible for yourself. Your mind thrives on regular daily activity. It improves your ability to understand new ideas (yes, it makes your brain smarter and quicker to learn new things), that is called clarity of thinking. So, moving your body helps make sure that you get a clear mind to make good choices.
Being active helps you:
Feel strong and full of energy.
Feel good and feel more confident.
Sleep better and focus more in school.
The coolest part about being active? You don’t need anyone to tell you what to do. You get to choose activities that you love and you choose to make them a regular part of your day.
What’s the Difference Between Exercise and Physical Activity?
You might hear the word “exercise” and think of things like running laps or doing push-ups. But there’s another word that’s even more fun: physical activity!
Exercise is planned, like going to the gym, a soccer practice or a dance class.
Physical activity is any way you move your body, like riding your bike, walking your dog, or playing hide-and-seek, even shoveling snow, vacuuming, or taking out the garbage. That is all physical activity.
The best part is, physical activity can happen anytime, anywhere—no rules required!
Make Movement Fun
Moving your body should never feel like a chore. The key is finding things that you look forward to doing, basically that you enjoy doing. Ask yourself:
What activities make me smile inside?
Do I like being inside or outside?
Do I enjoy playing with others or by myself?
Maybe you love to swim, jump on a trampoline, or dance to your favorite songs. Or maybe you enjoy quiet activities like yoga or stretching. There’s no right or wrong way—just find what feels fun for you!
Understanding Your “Why”
We all have our reasons to be active. That is, we have our “why I want to be active”. Fun is a common reason. “I feel better about myself” is also. Or, “I enjoy doing stuff with my friends.” What are your reasons?
Your “inside” reasons for being active are called “intrinsic motivators.” Yes, big words, but very important ones. When you choose to be active because it makes you feel good, that’s intrinsic motivation. It means you’re choosing to move because you want to, inside.
When trying to get active it is important that you think about why you want to do it, why it is important to you..
Think about it: What makes you want to move your body? Is it the way it makes you feel? The joy of trying something new? That’s your intrinsic motivation kicking in!
Ways to Get Moving
There are so many ways to stay active, and they don’t have to be hard or boring. Here are just a few ideas:
Dancing to your favorite music.
Exploring your neighborhood.
Playing games like tag, hopscotch, or freeze dance.
Biking, rollerblading, or scootering around your block.
Helping in the garden or washing the car (yes, chores count!).
Even small actions, like walking to school, taking out the garbage (with vigor) or stretching while watching TV, all add up.
Your Journey is Unique
Here’s something important to remember: Everyone’s relationship with movement is different. We all have our own journey. Some people love sports, while others enjoy quiet activities like stretching or walking. Some like routines, and others enjoy trying new things every day.
Your journey is yours. What works for you might not work for your best friend, and that’s okay! The most important thing is to find what feels good for you.
Start Your Journey Today
Being active isn’t about being the best at something or following someone else’s plan. It’s about exploring, having fun, and feeling great in your own way.
So, what’s one way you’ll get moving today? Whether it’s big or small, every little bit counts toward building a happy, healthy life. Let’s get started!