My body needs to move.

Regular exercise and moving my body daily really keeps my mental, emotional and physical health in check.

Considering how humans evolved, our modern sedentary indoor lifestyle is insane to me.

I also believe that regular physical movement is grossly underrated when it comes to depression, anxiety, sleep problems, fatigue/low energy, focus and productivity.

However, I have to admit, it’s not easy to stay motivated to exercise and workout during lockdown times.

When we’re not in the middle of a pandemic, I usually go to lift weights at the gym, take a class at a yoga studio, go swimming and - depending if I’m nearby an ocean - surfing is my go-to as well.

But of course, we all have to adjust to the current circumstances.

These days my workout routine is a combination of the following:

• Online Yoga (usually with Jivamukti Peace Yoga Berlin)

• The Class by Taryn Toomey

• Yoga self-practice sequence (my go-to is the spiritual warrior sequence)

• Kettlebells and bodyweight exercises

• Going for walks out in nature

• Doing Yin or Gravity-style Yoga

I aim to move my body daily, but I might skip a day here or there. I also don’t do strong workouts on the first two days of my menstrual cycle.

Every morning, I check in with myself and my movement needs:

Do I need something strong and more cardio-ish? Do I need to be outside? Do I need more stretching?

I truly believe in the power of exercise to regulate our nervous system and to stay healthy in all dimensions.

That’s my big Why - I want to grow old healthy and become 100 years old while enjoying my body and life.

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(This is atomic essay #21, which is part of 30 Days of Writing #Ship30for30)