National Move More Month

National Move More Month is every April and the objective of this month is clear and simple: get up and move! Created by the American Heart Association as a way to help improve health of Americans everywhere, National Move Month is aimed at getting more of us to hit 10,000 steps everyday or, even better, to hit that 20-minutes of aerobic exercise mark everyday. 

The benefits of living an active lifestyle have been known since antiquity. Cicero said many things, but he also said that “it is exercise alone that supports the spirit, and keeps the mind in vigor.” The Romans prized physical fitness, especially among their well-trained armies.

Since then exercise has evolved into the complex science we now know it. But this month isn’t so much about perfecting a form of exercise to Olympic-standards but simply embracing the foundations that movement and living an active lifestyle are key components to being a healthier person. In fact, in the 1950s a study of bus conductors versus bus drivers who didn’t have any additional exercise regimens beyond work found that conductors (who are much more active than the sedentary drivers) suffered less from heart disease and other health conditions. Even just being more active at work is a proven way to reduce cardiovascular disease.

Regardless of whether you choose the ancient art of hurling a discuss or the more modern takes on weightlifting and calisthenics, getting out and moving more during the month of April is what’s important – even if it’s just walking for 20-30 minutes everyday.