Buzz
Have you been reminding yourself to take short walks occasionally? Since our last conversation, I’ve certainly walked more than I used to, though not always in the brief, frequent bursts I had planned.
The weather has been unbearably hot. Sometimes I manage a quick stroll around the neighborhood, but more often, I wait until around 8 p.m. to head out for about 30 minutes. I usually listen to a podcast (recently, the You’re Wrong About episode about Koko the gorilla). One day, my four-year-old daughter insisted on joining me, and since I knew she wouldn’t last the entire time, I opted for a shorter walk with her rather than skipping it altogether. My motto has been, “Something is always better than nothing,” and honestly, it makes a difference.
So, continue with your daily walks if you enjoy them, but this week, let’s introduce something new to the mix. It’s simple, a bit monotonous, and surprisingly tougher than it seems. I’m referring to the timeless gym class exercise, arm circles.
No matter where you are, stand up and start doing arm circles. If standing isn’t an option, you can even do them seated. For an added challenge, try stepping onto a chair or another stable surface and stepping back down while performing the circles.
How did that go? Are your shoulders feeling the burn? I managed one minute of forward circles, as recommended in the video, but needed a pause before tackling the backward ones. If you prefer a specific target, aim for 50 circles in each direction, or adjust the number to suit your fitness level and give yourself a quick, energizing break from sitting at your desk or lounging on the couch.
