Motion is Lotion
HAVE YOU EVER EXPERIENCED STIFFNESS? JUST REMEMBER MOTION IS LOTION.
We all experience stiffness at some point in our lives. So does this mean that getting stiff is just a normal part of aging? If so, what can you do about it? We have made this guide to stiffness to help you understand how getting stiff happens, what to do about it and how to prevent it.
FIRST THE PROBLEM: STIFFNESS
Joint stiffness is a symptom that can be caused by various factors:
- Aging – tendons and ligaments lose their flexibility
- Lifestyle – desk jobs and Netflix binging
- Inflammation – swelling taking up all the joint space
- Pain – the body avoids full movement of a joint
THE SOLUTION: MOTION IS LOTION
Think of stiffness like rust and movement like WD-40. If your stiffness is caused by aging or sitting too long at a desk, then GET UP! Initially, you may feel some discomfort in your joints or even hear some noises. Instead of immediatly giving up, try shaking off the rust and keep moving as you will likely feel better. Our joints are made to move, they actually create their own “WD-40” or “lotion”. This means the more we move, it is easier to stay moving and the better we feel.
ALL MOVEMENT COUNTS
Bending over to tie your shoes, reaching for a bowel in the top shelf and waving dramatically to a friend all counts as movement! You don’t have to sign up for an exercise class at the gym in order to get the rust out of your joints. Here are some easy ideas you can start doing everyday to help prevent stiffness and get that lotion flowin’.
- Squat down to say hi to your doggo instead of just reaching to pet his head
- Walk around while brushing your teeth
- Stand up to put on your socks and tie your shoes instead of sitting down
- Use the dinnerware in the top cabinet to set the table
- When you hear a song you love, DANCE!
Be creative, stay moving and remember lotion is motion!
-JJ
P.S. Don’t get me started on “use it or lose it.”
