'Tis the Season to Stay Fit: Unwrapping the Gift of Mobility this Christmas – Plus a Free Download!
Christmas is synonymous with joy, celebration, and an abundance of festive treats. As we indulge in the warmth of family gatherings and the sweetness of seasonal delights, it's easy to lose sight of the importance of staying fit and mobile during Christmas.
Any break in routine can often result in us becoming more sedentary, and our bodies tend to adapt to the positions we stay in the most. So while the prospect of curling up on the sofa to binge-watch Christmas movies while simultaneously wolfing down a king size tin of Quality Street may be tempting, too much over-indulgence may result in stiff joints and muscles, as well as problems with blood pressure, weight gain, and heart disease.
Amidst the feasts and festivities, maintaining a commitment to your mobility and fitness becomes an invaluable gift - one that lasts far beyond the holiday season and into the new year.
Everything in moderation
The longer you don’t move, the harder it will be to get back to being mobile when you need to. The good news is that staying mobile doesn’t mean missing out on your favourite treats, but rather it’s about finding a balance. By regularly practicing simple mobility exercises, all in the comfort and safety of your own home, you can enjoy all the festive foods you want without compromising your health goals. Incorporating a short, gentle mobility fitness regime into your daily routine over the holidays not only helps burn those extra calories, but also uplifts your festive spirit while setting the tone for the new year.
Stress relief through exercise
While Christmas brings joy, it can also come with stress. Regular gentle exercise is a powerful stressbuster, releasing endorphins that elevate your mood and promote a sense of well-being. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the season, taking time for a short daily workout becomes a crucial self-care practice, ensuring a healthier mind and body. So when you go back to normal in the new year, you will still have a full range of motion in your muscles and joints, and you’ll be able to move freely without placing any stress on your body.
What is mobility?
In the context of physical fitness, mobility refers to the ability of a joint or a series of joints to move through a full, pain-free range of motion. It’s an essential component of overall fitness and is closely related to flexibility, although they are not the same.
Flexibility is the of yoability ur muscles to lengthen, allowing your joints to move through their full range of motion. Mobility involves not only flexibility but also takes into account the health and functionality of your joints, the surrounding tissues, and your nervous system's control over movement.
Good mobility contributes to better movement patterns, reduced risk of injury, and improved overall performance in physical activities. It allows us to perform daily tasks with ease and participate in various forms of exercise and sports more effectively.
What are the best mobility exercises?
Short and easy ones! I’ve devised a series of simple and practical mobility exercises that will help you focus on your range of motion. The best part is that they take hardly any time and you don’t even need to leave the house! The seven exercises take just 15 minutes to complete and include a few stretches that will keep you active for longer, soothing any aches and niggles and keeping your joints moving. Why not do them in the mornings so you have the rest of the day to relax?
You can download the FREE exercise sheet here to keep:-
If you dedicate a set daily time to complete them it will help to provide structure to your day, which is useful at a time of year when the days can sometimes blur into one.
And remember, a short and sweet burst of daily movement is better than nothing at all, and you’ll emerge at the other end of the holiday break with well-oiled muscles and joints, ready to jump back into your usual routine.
Mobility Therapies is dedicated to keeping you moving with ease. I use a holistic approach to help you achieve long-term wellness and improve your physical and mental health, and sporting performance.
If you’d like to know more about my services, including AquaStretch, Full Body Assessment, and my BioMechanics method of managing pain, please get in touch.
Live the life you want, not a life in pain.