Exercise and Acupuncture for Energy

To achieve total health and well-being,  it is helpful to take a holistic approach.  One way to do this is to incorporate healthy lifestyle habits and physical activity into your daily life.   In order to do physical activity, we like to feel like we have the energy to exert ourselves.  Using exercise and acupuncture for energy can be a successful strategy.

How do I exercise in the Winter in Portland?

Winter days in the Pacific Northwest are short on light leaving many of us longing for more daylight hours, more sunshine and warm weather that will activate our bodies. We are like hibernating bears, the thought of exercise makes us grumpy, grouchy. This attitude perpetuates a cycle—being deprived of sunlight makes us listless, and that feeling keeps us from exercising which would actually elevate our mood. It can help to change your perspective. Exercise is not just a regimented workout at the gym, it can be incorporated into your daily routine easier than you may think.

Easily Work Exercise and Acupuncture for Energy into your schedule.

Without an array of expensive equipment, you can engage movement that can change your mental function, your outlook on life, and your perspective on the day. The medical community recommends exercising at least 30-45 minutes a day, five days a week. Allow time to stretch out before exercising to condition your muscles beforehand, and after working out to help relieve muscle fatigue and soreness. Take a look at the options you have to add exercise to your daily schedule.

Slipping an treatment of acupuncture for energy into your schedule will support you on a several levels.  First, it’s simply good for your health and immune system.  Second, as you begin to exercise, it will help alleviate aches and pains.  And last, it’s great to boost your energy if that is a goal.

Options for accessible exercise

Walking

Walking is the simplest and easiest movement that most of us can do.   It can take place in your neighborhood, in a park or a trail, around the mall, or walking to the store. An internet search for your local area will show pedestrian trails in your hometown.  And it may even list walking groups you could join if you prefer not to walk alone.

At-Home Workouts

If you are interested in at-home workouts, check YouTube.  You can find 10, 20, 30-minute workouts promoting a variety of goals.  It could be for muscle building, aerobic, stretching, yoga, etc.  The Seven-minute workout routine is a great example.  It provides upper and lower body exercises mix that includes aerobic as well as strength building, all in 7 minutes. You can expand on that by increasing repetitions, or by doing a second round.   Yoga routines on Youtube come in 20-minute segments that can easily fit into your morning.   They can also be done in the evening or where it best fits into your schedule. Yoga is an exercise that just about anyone of any fitness ability can undertake.  Yoga allows you to start from your level, and increase according to your goals. All it takes is floor space, a comfortable outfit, and bare feet!

How to find exercise options

If you have no access to the internet, your local library carries a selection of books.  Often libraries will even have videos to get you going on a workout of your choice. You will find books and videos for any health condition or fitness level. There is fitness for those over 50, brain fitness, for diabetes, for COPD and Asthma, the list is endless. Now there is no excuse to put off this important decision to improve your health and well-being today.

Benefits of Exercise

Exercise increases your overall well-being and actually lessens stress effects on the body. One of the major benefits of exercise is that it increases production of endorphins.  Endorphins are the feel-good neurotransmitters in the brain.  Their job is to give you a better outlook on life and to improve your self-esteem.  Thus, regular exercise increases self-confidence, helps relax you, and can lessen symptoms related to mild depression and anxiety. Regular exercise lifts your mood during the day as well as helps you sleep better at night.

Don’t like to exercise alone?

If you recognize you need the comradery of a group to keep to your exercise routine, see what your workplace has to offer.  Often gym membership, sponsored fundraising walks, or walking groups are available. Joining a group, or finding someone to partner with motivates you to commit to regular exercise.

Find an exercise you love

Be proactive about your health. To be successful in your goal to increase your activity level, choose something you love to do.  Whether you love walking, running, swimming, bird watching, playing basketball, bicycling, yoga, gardening or something different; just do it. All such activities qualify as exercise and give the same benefits of a typical gym workout. You are more likely to stick to an exercise program if it matches your interests, schedule, and ability.

The benefits of exercise ease stress in your life and gives you more control and focus.  The added satisfaction in your self-image can impact your life in personal relationships, at work, and at rest.  You are never too busy to add exercise into your daily routine.  It is invaluable as a means of relieving stress, and improving your health. Make the change, and change your life starting today.

Acupuncture can help you maintain mobility and recovery, as well as treat any potential soreness you may experience from physical exertion.  You can also get specifically get acupuncture for energy support.   Call Riverwest Acupuncture in Portland, OR if you would like to schedule an appointment.