Sitting!
Have you ever been on a plane or even in a car for a long trip? You have been flying or driving for hours and it seems that you will never get there. I know some people who have flown for many hours and there is a tenancy for your legs to start swelling because of lack of movement. What’s it feel like when you finally arrive and you can get off the plane and walk? You want to get off and start to walk around but on the other hand, it is so difficult. It is not easy to start walking. Your legs don’t feel right and your muscles feel like they haven’t moved in eternity. But you persevere and get moving.
Moving
So how important is movement? Moving is so important for our bodies and it can help with keeping our immune function healthy. As we move our hearts pump more rapidly so that our blood pumps through all the systems of our body. Thus our blood is getting filtered from all the impurities that bring the immunity down.
If you are just a couch potato your blood becomes sluggish and the impurities just sit there. Maybe you’re not a “couch potato” so to speak because you go to work every day but what kind of job do you have. Do you sit mostly at a desk all day? There are many that get up in the morning, eat their breakfast, maybe. And then they drive to work, which means sitting. Once they get to work they sit at a desk all day long getting up only to use the bathroom. They do take lunch but then they just go into the lunch room and sit. And then they drive home which is just more sitting. The majority of society sits in front of a TV while eating dinner. This is not far from a couch potato. Unfortunately, this lifestyle goes on year after year.
Exercise
Exercise is so important to healthy immune function. We need more than just walking from our home to car, car to desk, and back to home again. We need something that will get our heart rate up and keep that blood flowing to get the impurities cleaned up.
So having a good walking routine that you do at least 5 days a week is important. Walking can be the very best type of exercise. But really the best kind of exercise is the one that you will do. So find something you enjoy. If you can’t find anything you enjoy make sure you persevere in something. Maybe you need to write out a “why” for the reason you want to exercise and that can keep you motivated.
Doing weight lifting is also important for keeping our bodies healthy. As we age our muscle start to atrophy. We need to be sure that we keep them toned and healthy so that our immune systems stay healthy. It doesn’t always have to be lifting weights as long as you are using those muscles that do the lifting. Push-ups can be another way to build our arm muscles. Shoveling snow could be another one, which happens at our home in the wintertime. Be creative.
Some people struggle with exercising due to some health challenges. Just make sure and take it slow and talk to your doctor about what you can safely do.
Another complaint I hear is “I don’t have the energy”. So in order to get a pick me up, they drink some coffee or caffeinated drink to help get the energy to do what they need to do, which is not good at all. Exercise will actually help give you energy. But you have to make sure not to do too much too quickly.
Energy
There are many people who don’t get out, as they should exercise. They use many excuses, lack of time, no energy, too much discomfort, etc. I have found that when I take the time I actually have more success in my day and I get more done. I find that time is not a factor it is just what my brain tries to convince me so that I don’t take the time.
I do understand the energy. There can be different reasons why a person may not have the energy for it. You may have a condition that is causing you not to have the ability to exercise. But the majority of us would find as we exercise that we would start to get more energy. The important thing is to start out slow and build up to more. Because of some things that I have dealt with physically, there are some other things that I do that really helps with my energy levels so that I have the ability to exercise. I have some supplements that I take along with an energy & stamina complex. Each person is different and needs to do what will help them reach their goals.
When it comes to discomfort in your joints or muscles building up gradually is also a key. One thing that many athletes use that I have found beneficial is a soothing blend rub. Most athletes put it on before and after their workouts. I don’t always remember put it on before but even if you do it afterward it is very helpful.
Dear Father,
As we take the time to get physical exercise we pray for Your blessing. I know that as we keep moving and circulate the blood that you have given us through our body it will be healthier. Thank you for giving us such amazing bodies so as we follow Your plan for health it makes our immune systems stronger.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Start today! Get out and take a walk.
Love you all.
What is your favorite kind of exercise?
This is part 3 in a several part series “Maintaining Healthy Immune Function”. There are many things I will be sharing with you on how to support your immune system, both physically and spiritually. Although what I am sharing is not exhaustive, I am sharing just a taste from my own experience. In part 2 I talked about the foundation of how to support our spiritual immune system. Coming up in part 4 I will be talking about how spiritual exercise plays a role in maintaining a healthy spiritual immune function. Stay tuned!