This week I did something I had not done in quite a while.
I turned on a walking workout video and committed to thirty minutes of movement.
Now this wasn’t slow strolling around the living room. It’s actually a full-body, heart-healthy workout that really packs a punch. There’s stepping, arm movements, and enough energy to get your heart rate up and remind your muscles they’ve been sitting a little too long.
By the time it was over, I definitely felt it.
Then the next day, I did it again.
After just two days, I could already feel a difference in my body.
It reminded me how much our bodies need movement.
I don’t live a completely sedentary life. I do try to walk outside as much as possible, and every now and then I’ll hop on my rebounder or pick up some weights. The challenge is that it tends to be sporadic instead of a steady routine.
The one thing I do faithfully every night is stretch. I learned the hard way that stretching really is like the fountain of youth. When I skip it, my body reminds me very quickly that I’m not twenty anymore.
Stretching helps, but this week reminded me that my body needs more consistent movement throughout the day.
If you’re a business owner, you probably understand this struggle too.
Many of us spend long hours sitting behind a computer answering emails, managing projects, creating content, or keeping the behind-the-scenes pieces of our businesses running smoothly.
In my case, I spend much of the day sitting while doing virtual assistant work.
On the days that I’m prepping or baking for the farmer’s market and I’m moving around the kitchen a lot, it’s still not the same as intentional movement.
For me, exercise often gets pushed to the bottom of the list.
There are people who structure their entire day around workouts. I admire that. I’d rather have my quiet time with the Lord first thing in the morning, or I won’t do it at all. That time is deeply important to me.
And yet this week reminded me of something simple.
Caring for the body God gave us matters, too.
And the ability to move is something worth being grateful for.
Here are a few reasons movement matters, especially for those of us who spend so much time working behind a desk.
1. Movement Boosts Energy
It sounds backward, but movement actually gives us more energy.
Physical activity improves circulation and oxygen flow throughout the body. That helps reduce fatigue and keeps our minds more alert. ¹
For busy entrepreneurs juggling many responsibilities, that extra energy can make a noticeable difference in how we work and feel throughout the day.
2. Movement Clears the Mind
Stepping away from the desk and moving your body can help reset your thinking.
Exercise increases blood flow to the brain and supports focus and creativity. ² Many people notice that solutions to problems or fresh ideas appear during a walk rather than while staring at a screen.
Sometimes the best business strategy session happens while moving.
3. Movement Supports Digestion
Our bodies were designed to move.
Gentle activities like walking help stimulate the digestive system and encourage the natural movement of food through the body.³
This is one reason doctors often recommend walking after meals. Even a short walk can support overall digestive health.
4. Movement Reduces Stress
Running a business can be stressful.
Exercise helps the body release endorphins, which improve mood and help reduce stress levels. ⁴
Even a short workout or a quick walk can shift your mindset and help you return to your work with more clarity.
5. Movement Helps Protect Long-Term Health
Regular movement helps protect heart health, strengthens muscles, helps regulate blood sugar, and keeps joints functioning well as we age.¹
The good news is that it doesn’t require hours in the gym. Consistent movement, even in small amounts, adds up over time.
A Simple Reminder
This week reminded me that movement does not have to be complicated.
It might be a thirty-minute workout video in your living room.
It might be a walk outside.
It might simply be stepping away from the desk for a few minutes and stretching.
For those of us who feel called to serve through our businesses, ministries, or work, it can be easy to put our own health at the bottom of the list.
But the ability to move is a gift.
And it’s something worth being grateful for.
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Footnotes / Sources
¹ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Benefits of Physical Activity.”
https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/index.htm
² Harvard Medical School. “Exercise and the Brain: How Physical Activity Boosts Brain Health.”
https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/exercise-can-boost-your-memory-and-thinking-skills
³ Mayo Clinic. “Exercise and Digestion: How Physical Activity Helps the Digestive System.”
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389
⁴ Mayo Clinic. “Exercise and Stress: Get Moving to Manage Stress.”
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/exercise-and-stress/art-20044469
