14 Signs You Are Not Moving Enough
Expertise: Beauty, Health, & Wellness
Experience: 2 years
Indrani is a writer and artist who likes to add a dash of humor to everything she does. She has two years of experience in writing articles across beauty, health, and lifestyle genres. After graduatin... more
Image: Shutterstock
Have you ever spent a day without any strenuous activity but felt completely exhausted by the end of it? Most of us can relate to this, and honestly, we can’t blame you. The sudden lifestyle changes have converted us into couch potatoes. We are all patiently waiting for a miracle to give us the will to move about. Our newfound sedentary lifestyle is no good for our physical and mental health. You must be thinking, what’s the harm in relaxing? The problem is, that our bodies are not designed to perform perfectly without enough movement. Go through the
14 signs of your body not getting enough movement and see for yourself if you are as active as you should be:
1. You Are Constipated
If constipation is something you have been struggling with for quite some time, it’s not the food or water behind it. The more you move, the easier it is for your colon to transfer the digested waste. Healthy muscle tone in your diaphragm and abs is the only secret to keep constipation and other digestive problems at bay.
2. Your Joints Are Stiff
Hard to move and achy joints can be signs of autoimmune diseases and arthritis, but they are not the only reasons your bones hurt. Not making enough movements can also cause severe pain and stiffness in your joints. That is why when you are prescribed to take complete bed rest; your joints start paining after a few days.
3. You Are Always Out Of Breath
The muscles of your lungs need exercise and slowly start deteriorating if you do not give them enough exercise. Doing fewer activities throughout your day can make you feel breathless, which does not let you do any activity again. Make sure you heed the warning signs and gear up to retain your lung’s full capacity.
4. You Are Moody
Lack of exercise affects more than just your physical health. We often blame our hormones when we feel overwhelmed by emotions, but the roots can be different. Simple cardio exercises like walking, running and even swimming can steady your mood and boost your self-esteem.
5. You Have Trouble Concentrating
It is not just about your fluctuating mood; not having much movement can lead to brain fog. The release of BDNF (Brain-derived neurotrophic factor) from your brain when you work out helps boost mental sharpness and concentration. (1)
6. Changes In Your Weight
The simple equation is, you burn the food that you eat. If there is more food and less work, the imbalance will store the extra weight as unwanted fat in your body. This is what causes sudden weight changes in your body and gives an invitation to various health problems.
7. Your Energy Levels Are Always Receding
If you feel tired and sluggish all the time, it’s time to check the amount of movement in your timetable. Exercise helps move nutrients and oxygen through your tissues, so if you stay hooked to your couch throughout the day, the fuel you need will not be processed and will accumulate as unwanted fat in your body.
8. Your Metabolism Is Slower
People with a faster metabolism move a lot. They are always occupied in strenuous activities and burn more calories than otherwise. Not doing any activities and having a laid-back lifestyle slows down your metabolism and paves the path for numerous health issues.
9. You Have A Shorter Sleep Cycle
If you feel you are counting sheep to sleep every day, there is a lack of movement in your daily routine. When you have a healthy lifestyle with ample movement, you fall asleep as soon as your back touches the bed.
10. You Have Trouble Remembering Things
Regular exercise makes your body produce more chemicals called growth factors (2). They help in boosting your blood circulation. The more blood gets to your brain, the better you remember, think and make decisions.
11. Your Blood Pressure is Always up
It’s no surprise that sitting idle all day will increase your blood pressure. It is a symptom that your body needs more exercise. Ignoring the signs can also increase the risk of severe heart diseases.
12. You Have Prediabetes
If exercise is a part of your daily routine, keeping up with your blood glucose levels becomes much easier. Not having many physical activities can keep the risk of developing type 2 diabetes high.
13. Your Back Hurts
When your core muscles are weak due to lack of exercise, they fail to support your back the way that they should. Exercise makes it easier to tweak your back muscles and maintain your posture throughout the day. If you feel backache is a recurring problem in your life, Pilates, yoga, and stretching exercises can help you regain your strength.
14. You Always Want To Snack
The common thinking is, the more you exercise, the more you eat. But the reality is, aerobic exercise like walking, biking, swimming, and running can decrease your appetite. It changes the levels of certain ‘hunger hormones’ in your body, and you stop craving snacks.
So, if you feel lethargy has crept into your lifestyle, it’s time to utilize the gym membership that is dusted under the carpet of excuses. Even if you are not a gym person, taking a brisk walk or engaging yourself in activities like skipping and dancing can help your body get its required movement. What is your favorite way of working out? Let us know in the comments below!
