Health - how to look after your joints

HEALTH

Move better – Feel better

Harry Rowland, from H Space Movement, tells us how we can look after our joints.

Joint health can be a major obstacle for many people, and it can affect our mood, energy and day-to-day choices. Injury, inflammatory conditions and operations are often seen as non-preventative and this worries me, because we are all living longer but far less active lives, and technology has taken over – especially in the last two years.

With more people working from home, we are moving less and sitting more, losing that potential to walk or commute to where we need to go. Over time, this affects our physical condition, because we are designed to move and not sit still. If you sit for too long, you will often feel a creaking in the shoulder, or a dull ache in the hips or back. These are all warning lights on our human dashboard telling us to get up and move, change our posture or position. Just like in your car, if you leave a dashboard warning light on for too long, problems may be up ahead and you're in the workshop hoping to get it fixed!

So, we need to take more responsibility for our joints and move them fully each and every day. Often we see exercise as a punishment, but it needs to be sustainable and enjoyable – something we build into our daily routine in our 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s. If you take five minutes each day to move your hips, shoulders and spine, you are guaranteed to feel better in three months. When you know you can improve the way your body and mind feel, you are enabled and fully empowered to address other areas, helping you to become a more healthy and active individual. This not only benefits you, but also your loved ones. Here is a final thought: if some of you think that moving your joints is alien or pointless, think about this…do you brush your teeth twice a day for fun?!

H Space Movement

hspacemovement.com 07903 651072 hspacemovement@gmail.com

We are seeking to recruit volunteers in Norfolk to join a small friendly team.

Secretary – Motor Neurone Disease - the role can be split into general or meetings secretary - to suit the time you are able to give. Volunteer Association Visitors (AVs) - maintain contact with people living with MND, their families and carers. Training, induction and mentoring will be provided; travel/direct cost expenses are reimbursable. Could you give your time to support people with MND? By donating your time, energy and skills you can make a real difference to the lives of people affected by MND. You would keep in touch regularly by phone, email, on-line or with visits. Timing is flexible, to suit you and the person you support.