As I am writing this blog post, I am sitting outside on my lounge chair taking in some much needed Vitamin D.
We all know the importance of Vitamin D and how it helps with building bone density. When was the last time you had your Vitamin D levels checked? It’s a good idea to get that checked regularly.
Do you also know that sitting down is optional but getting up is mandatory, especially as you age? Can you think of someone you know who is older than you, when they get up from a chair, it takes them time. They rely on their hands. They need assistance because their core hasn’t been trained to engage as they “get up”. If you’re anything like me, you’ll want to practice the GET UP with progressions.
First start with a chair, practice sitting down and getting up. Once that is easy without using your hands, you can progress to eyes closed. That will be a game changer I am sure.
This changes your proprioception. What is proprioception? Proprioception, commonly known as the sixth sense, it is how you feel in your body without actually looking. It’s when the central nervous system integrates with the vestibular system. Try to start to utilize your proprioception whenever you can.
You can process this by going to sit on a lower platform, say a low stool? Again practice, maybe you need to rely on using one hand, that’s ok. It’s a practice, not a perfect.
Once you’ve mastered no hands on the lower platform, you can now progress to sitting on the floor and getting up. WOW, this is tricky. Everyone’s body is different so we cannot have any expectations on how we should move. Your body will figure this out. Try and sit without using your hands. If you can’t, it’s ok, you can use one hand. It is personal to your body. Then try to get up without using your hands. It might require you to be creative. You will try to figure it out. If you keep practice ways you will eventually improve. Notice I didn’t say you will perfect it. Your body is your body and it will move how it needs to.
What I would like to leave you with is, It is important to get up. Whenever you are going to get up from a chair, think core is engaged, and lengthen as you rise. You can also apply this to walking up the stairs. Think core engaged and lengthening.
I hope this intrigues you and you’ll try these simple progressions.
Please share with anyone you know that may need to understand this.
Everything in midlife matters, YOU matter. #youmatter
Maria