Incorporating movement into my daily routine 

In conjunction with Health Week, I share how I keep myself moving throughout my busy university schedule.

I stumbled upon a company offering subscription vitamins in an article I was reading online. Intrigued by its ethos and minimalistic packaging (mostly this), I succumbed to its offer for a quick ‘health’ quiz that would generate a list of vitamins recommended to match my concerns. I was happily answering away when I was suddenly stumped by a prompt inquiring about my exercise routine. 

It took me awhile to answer because I didn’t really know what ‘exercise’ is. Well, of course I know what it means but I wouldn’t really know what counts as exercise because whenever it's mentioned, I’m thinking: loud gyms steaming with testosterone and body heat or a group of middle-aged persons in striking running shoes and wireless earphones making rounds at the oval or a bunch of North Adelaide mummies meeting up for their weekly Pilates looking glamorous as ever, even after an hour of straining their muscles. 

I’m certain similar examples are swimming in your head too. There seems to be a shared idea that to exercise is to dedicate a portion of your day to the gym or park or studio which puts many of us busy students off exercising. However, Oxford Languages define ‘exercise’ as an activity requiring physical effort, carried out to sustain or improve health and fitness. 

So really, exercising can be anything so long as you’re moving, right?  

For me, that’s walking. Ever since moving to Australia (and as a result of not owning a car), I find myself walking a lot. I walk to the tram stop and back on days I commute to university, I walk to the grocers, and when the sky is painted blue and I have the right playlist on standby in my phone, I walk home from classes too. It’s one of those routines that I wouldn’t have thought made a positive contribution to my health because I had to do it but upon observing myself after each walk, I noticed how good I felt – physically and mentally. 

I do try to hit the treadmill at least twice per week if I could or to take a walk around my local park when the weather permits and if I’m feeling a little ambitious, maybe a long stroll across the city and into the suburbs too. 

On a similar note, I also try to opt for the stairs whenever I feel like it – and I say feel like it, because some days I’m just running late from the tram and running into class. The elevators are enticing (and alas, I do fall for them a lot on days such as that), but I wouldn’t mind a flight or two or three up the stairs if it means I get to keep my body moving.

I would also dance with myself in the mirror, which I have decided is a form of exercise, a lot. It’s probably my favourite thing to do after a long day of sitting in lectures and seminars. I’d have my playlist on shuffle and pretend I’m Hugh Grant on Love, Actually – not as good and charming of a dancer as the fictional British Prime Minister but certainly having as much fun as he is.

There really are many ways to incorporate movement into our daily lives. For some, it’s going to the gym or a round of footy but for others (me) it’s pretending you’re some mega popstar on her 5th world tour. I think your body would thank you either way, as long as the blood keeps pumping. So, tell me, how do you keep your body moving?