Moving the Body
Moving the Body
Overview
Moving the body includes any activity that uses your energy to move the large muscles in your body. Some activities increase your stamina while others improve your strength, flexibility, or balance.
Why does moving the body matter?
Exercise of any kind can reduce fatigue and improve sleep, decrease anxiety and depression, and promote brain health. It can also help prevent heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. Think of exercise as a low-cost, low-risk treatment for a long list of ailments. Moving your body can improve your ability to do more of the things you love.
Here's more
An active lifestyle decreases the risks of long-term health problems. Moving regularly decreases inflammation in the body which is at the center of many diseases.
Moving your body on a regular basis lowers your risk for some types of cancer, fatty liver disease, chronic pain, arthritis, even dementia. It also helps relieve anxiety and depression. Some comprehensive practices which include movement, such as yoga, Tai Chi, and qigong, can also help you practice mindfulness and other skills.
Many activities which include movement such as yoga, Tai Chi, strength training, and aerobics can be modified for people with limited mobility due to chronic pain or injury.
Take action
Consider what results you’d like to focus on, such as improving strength, flexibility, balance, range of motion, and the mind-body connection. Work with your healthcare provider or a Whole Health coach on a plan to get moving.
Moving your body doesn’t have to involve working out in a gym or joining a sports team — you can bike, walk, swim, garden, play a sport, or play with a child or an animal. You can exercise on your own or with a group, whenever it works for you. Any activity is better than none; even a few minutes a day is beneficial. It’s important to choose activities that you enjoy because you’ll stick with them!
Many VA medical centers offer in-person or virtual activities where you can move your body. Contact your VA facility to find out what’s available in your area.
Explore further
Check out these resources for ways to get moving.
- Live Whole Health #221: Gentle stretches for busy lives
- VA MOVE! Coach app
- VA National Veterans Sports Programs
- VA and Veterans Yoga Project partner to enhance Veteran well-being
- Learn about Whole Health activities at your local VA facility.
