EASY WAYS TO MOVE MORE IN THE MORNING

Hello everyone, welcome to PAYD weekly!

Today’s theme is about getting credit in the movement bank early. Setting the movement tune for the day, the PAYD way!

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STRETCH BEFORE YOU LEAVE YOUR BED!

That’s right, I encourage you to make movement the very first thing you do! Stretching in a big star on your back and then stretching side to side with your arms above your head feels great when you wake up. You might need to wriggle down your bed for space but hey, that’s movement too. Pairing with some big breaths is even better.

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COMBINE YOUR FIRST STAND WITH A GENTLE SHAKE OUT!

Once you’re out of bed a morning wiggle, turning side to side, and a gentle shake out feels great. It is a good way to get all your body bits moving too.

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And now on to movement while you wait. The theory being that each time you do the task at hand, you will remember to do some movement while you wait. I hope you’ll give these a go and perhaps think up a few of your own too.

BRUSHING YOUR TEETH: Improve your balance!

Stand once one leg for a minute and then the other.

If you struggle with balance then start small by just hovering your toes off the floor. And be next to a wall on your non-teeth brushing side (hehe!).

ON THE LOO: Work your eyes!

While on the loo you could slowly draw circles with your eyes. Imagine that your eyes are a clock face and stop at each hour on the clock (look up to 12, then 1…. all the way back to 12). You could then go anti-clockwise too.

WAITING FOR THE SHOWER TO HEAT UP: Breathe big!

Take in some big breaths. In through the nose to a count of 4, out through the mouth to a count of 4. Increase to a count of 6 in and out if this feels manageable.

WHILE THE KETTLE BOILS/FOOD COOKS: Stretch it out!

Every time you have a cup of tea/wait for something to cook you could use your kitchen sink area to stretch. Add in a full body wiggle too for extra movement credit.