Get Moving

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This recent NYT article, For a Longer Life, Get Moving. Even a Little., highlights new research which continues to demonstrate repeated findings that the more humans move, the less chance of us dying prematurely. Those studied moved up to a plateau at about 25 minutes per day of moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, or 300 minutes per day of light, gentle activity. Beyond that point, people did not gain additional longevity benefits, although their risks of premature death did not rise either.

The relationship between moving more and living longer remained strong even when the researchers controlled for body mass, smoking, diet and other factors, and excluded data from anyone who had died during the first two years of the follow-up period, since they might have been inactive because of an underlying illness. 
As I continue to speak locally, regionally, and nationally about “Burnout to Well-Being: Awareness, Accountability and Action” to inspire an individual commitment to living as healthy a life as possible, these are my personal epiphanies over the recent years:
  1. I love my husband, Dave and my daughter, Claire, and will NOT selfishly become a burden to them as I age by NOT taking accountability for my own health. I move every day, as much as possible, and especially on weekends, so that as I continue to age I will be in my best physical health, which supports my emotional, mental, and spiritual health, so that I will not impose on their quality of life someday because I chose to not exercise, to eat terribly, become “sick” with diseases I could prevent, and not bring my BEST SELF to every human that comes into contact with me every day until my last.

    No one becomes healthier in any dimension, without taking one step at a time, and doing it in daily fashion. I am so inspired by my neighbors: one is 84, another is 78, and a few others, who are so disciplined in their daily walking, exercise regimen, resistance training, and commitment to continue MOVING, so that they live as long and as healthy as possible. 

  2. I meet so many day-to-day at work and outside of work, that use the many excuses and reasons I too have used, that have already convinced themselves they can’t move more: “I am too busy”, “I don’t have time”, “I have young children”. The bottomline is that while we can use any excuse we want, every one of them will only keep us from getting to our goal of being healthy.

    If you want to make a change to your daily habits, read my recent blog called 3 Steps to Successfully Making a Change to help you achieve your goals.

  3. I know the healthcare system; I work there every day. I have served in leadership positions that deal with errors, system challenges, and important outcomes that physicians and health care providers who are HUMAN can’t control. Life is beautiful and full of suffering that one can never be prepared for, and it’s this awareness and having had the gift of sharing many journeys with my own patients and their families, that have created such a strong commitment to my own health, and to inspire and empower others to increase their health and their loved ones. I will make sure I am as strong and as healthy as possible, to minimize needing doctors, hospitalization, and the use of the health care system for as long as I can—even if there are incredible colleagues that will help me when I need it. I am committed to my own self-care.

  4. Movement is the only signal to the human body that we are alive and for our physiology and biology to do what’s necessary to support our bodily functions.

    Friday night, despite waiting for 5 hours at the airport for our flight that was ultimately cancelled, the most memorable and extraordinary moment I shared with Claire was our spontaneous synchronized dancing to the music being played at Starbucks as we waited for her Frappuccino, a rare treat. 

  5. Movement feels amazing! After playing tennis, soaked in sweat, feeling soreness all over, then resting…I know that I have been accountable. Get 11 ways to enjoy the outdoors with your family.
I wish you and your family consistent, daily, fun, creative, and joyous movements, and the best of health and longevity always.
Below is a recent talk I did about burnout called Life in Technicolor. Visit my YouTube channel for more talks on burnout and other health related topics.

Burnout Well-Being

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