why movement is medicine
The Science of Active Living
Jane Fonda- an icon of balance
Why Movement is Medicine: The Science of Active Living
Movement is one of the simplest yet most transformative ways to improve your health and well-being. It doesn’t require perfection or intense effort—just the willingness to take that first step. Showing up truly matters, whether it’s a short walk, a light stretch, or a brief dance break. Regular physical activity boosts fitness, reduces stress, improves mood, and enhances sleep quality. Taking even the most minor action can create a ripple effect, where small, consistent habits lead to significant and lasting improvements in your overall health.
The power of a movement lies in its ability to work on multiple levels. It strengthens your heart and muscles, sharpens your mind, and builds Resilience against life’s challenges. Exercise has been shown to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, improve brain function, and elevate energy levels. Starting small allows you to build momentum and create a sustainable foundation for better health. As I often say, “Show up first, improve later.” Wellness isn’t about being perfect—it’s about starting where you are and trusting the process to grow over time.
Movement is a powerful form of self-care that empowers you to reconnect with your body and mind. When you habitually incorporate even small amounts of physical activity into your day, you take a tangible step toward a healthier, more balanced life. These small changes, repeated consistently, can lead to a profound transformation over time—one step at a time.
10 Reasons Why Movement is Medicine
1. Boosts Physical Vitality (Health)
Movement strengthens your heart, muscles, and lungs, increasing energy levels and Resilience against illness — your body’s natural prescription for longevity.
2. Enhances Mental Clarity (Soul)
Regular activity releases endorphins and serotonin, reducing anxiety and depression while sharpening focus and memory. It’s a mental reset in motion.
3. Promotes Radiant Skin & Natural Glow (Beauty)
Improved circulation from movement delivers oxygen and nutrients to your skin, encouraging a healthy, radiant complexion and slowing signs of ageing.
4. Supports Emotional Balance (Soul)
Physical activity helps regulate cortisol (the stress hormone), making it easier to respond rather than react, cultivating inner calm in outer chaos.
5. Builds Consistency & Self-Trust (Health + Soul)
Establishing a movement routine reinforces positive habits. It’s not just exercise — it’s evidence to yourself that you can show up daily.
6. Connects You to the Present Moment (Soul)
Movement anchors you to the now — whether it's yoga, walking, or dancing — inviting mindfulness and reducing rumination.
7. Shapes & Tones with Grace (Beauty)
Regular, intentional movement sculpts the body naturally. Beauty becomes a reflection of care, not comparison.
8. Balances Hormones Holistically (Health)
Exercise regulates insulin, estrogen, and other key hormones, aiding in weight balance, sleep, mood, and overall vitality.
9. Cultivates Inner Power & Confidence (Soul + Beauty)
Strength comes from within — feeling capable in your body radiates outward, transforming posture, presence, and self-worth.
10. Builds Resilience in an Unbalanced World (All 3)
In a society of stress, screens, and speed, movement is an anchor — a ritual of balance that reconnects us to what matters: body, breath, and being.
A Note from My Day-to-Day Life
As a plastic surgeon in North London, I work long, focused hours. But even on the busiest days, I find simple ways to move.
I take the stairs to the hospital. I stand on the train during my commute. I walk while on phone calls. Sometimes, quick chats with colleagues become walking meetings — and honestly, that’s when some of my best ideas come.
These small movements help me stay present, balanced, and creative. It’s not about finding extra time — it’s about using my time.
Movement doesn’t need to be big. Just consistent.
Start Small: What’s one way you could bring more movement into your day — right where you are?
References:
Booth, F.W., Roberts, C.K., & Laye, M.J. (2012). Lack of exercise is a significant contributor to chronic diseases. Comprehensive Physiology, 2(2), 1143–1211. doi:10.1002/copy.c110025
Carek, P.J., Laibstain, S.E., & Carek, S.M. (2011). Exercise for the treatment of depression and anxiety. International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine, 41(1), 15–28. doi:10.2190/PM.41.1.c
Erickson, K.I., Voss, M.W., & Prakash, R.S. (2011). Exercise training increases the size of the hippocampus and improves memory. PNAS, 108(7), 3017–3022. doi:10.1073/pnas.1015950108
Nieman, D.C. (2000). Exercise effects on systemic immunity. Immunology and Cell Biology, 78(5), 496–501. doi:10.1111/j.1440-1711.2000.t01-7-.x
Driver, H.S., & Taylor, S.R. (2000). Exercise and sleep. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 4(4), 387–402. doi:10.1053/smrv.2000.0110