🎥 MATT'S BLUE ZONE VLOG
Join Matt as we explore the power of natural movement and discover how simple daily activities boost vitality.
👁 TODAY'S INTENTION
Today, let's invite more natural movement into our daily rhythm so that our body can get more of the healthful movement it craves.
Our bodies yearn for movement, a dance with life itself. When we move, we engage more than just muscles—we connect with our thoughts and decisions. Movement awakens us, making us more present and alive. Every step, every stretch, can be a celebration of life.
Ready to honor your body with the gift of movement, embracing the joy and vitality it brings?
🌎 BLUE ZONE INSPIRATION
In Blue Zones, regions known for longevity, natural movement is woven into daily life. People walk, garden, and move naturally throughout their day. It's not about intense workouts but rather, the consistent enjoyable movement that keeps their bodies and minds vibrant.
A little work won’t kill you. That’s a life lesson taught early in Sardinia, where young Antonio Saba helps tend his family’s flock. By keeping active, many men stay as healthy as Giuseppe Cugusi, who at 85 is still raising pigs—one-handed, if need be. “I’ve been walking and working all my life, even when I don’t feel great,” he says. “If I stayed home all day, then I’d be sick.”
💬 QUOTE
“The real secret for longevity is diversity and variety in movement.”
– Ido Portal, a renowned movement coach who emphasizes the importance of varied physical activities. His philosophy integrates different movement practices to enhance overall health and longevity.
🧬 SCIENCE
According to the American Heart Association, a daily brisk walk can vastly improve our health. Benefits include improved circulation, weight management, stress reduction, and better sleep. Regular walking also reduces the risk of chronic diseases and boosts mental well-being.
Inspiration: Today, take a 30-minute brisk walk. Notice how it affects your mood and energy. 🌞
🧘 HEALTHY HABIT
Embrace simple, natural movements throughout your day.
- Take the stairs.
- Tend to your garden.
- Walk or bike instead of driving.
Healthy human movement is about transitioning and engaging with our surroundings. Find joy in these small, yet significant movements. Let's counteract sedentary habits with mindful, playful activity.
⚕️ MEDICINAL MOTTO
Move, because you can.
Reflect on the freedom and power of movement. Feel gratitude for your body’s ability to move and dance with life's rhythm. Repeat this mantra throughout the day, letting it inspire each step, stretch, and sway.
✍🏼 JOURNAL PROMPTS
- Reflect on your daily routine. When are you mostly sedentary?
- What is one simple adjustment you can make to invite more natural movement into your everyday lifestyle?
📣 AFFIRMATION
I dance with life nourishing my vitality.
🙌 KUDOS
Well done! 🎉 By inviting more movement into your day, you've honored your body and spirit. Keep this momentum, letting each step bring you closer to vibrant health and happiness.
💬 COMMUNITY CONVERSATION
What small, enjoyable movements can you add to your day to stay active?
Share your ideas in the comments and inspire others to move more!
I try to walk as much as possible during the day. My fitness monitor helps motivate me to do more activity a day.
I’ve been learning to turn off the news and turn on the music. Everything is better to music–well almost! (Silent meditation is juicy too). Starting to talk like Matt!
Having really struggled with depression and agoraphobia for the last 10 years my lifestyle has become incredibly sedentary. My health has suffered as a result. I hadn’t realized how many of my health issues have to do with lack of movement! I’m learning so much from this journey and experience! Thank you so much x 🙂
Move more to my music
This is a simple change I’m making immediately x Music is amazing especially when you get in tune with it x Who knew so many little changes could make such a drastic improvement. x 🙂
You know I recently found myself thinking “I communicate to the universe through music” and I really honestly believe that. It is a pretty incredible and powerful thing.
I definitely need to remind myself to get up and stretch or move more often, especially while at work. Gotta find a way to remind myself…timer and such.
I recently bought an Amazon Echo to help with reminders to take pills and do stuff that I keep forgetting x I’m going to set hourly reminders and if I haven’t gotten up and moved I will be for sure! 🙂
My son bought us a google home for Christmas. It’s so easy to request–play some Miles Davis; play waves, birds, a creek.
My posture is pretty terrible. I have been a lot more conscious of it lately. So continuing to improve my posture and also making it a point to watch the Ido Porter video above in the next couple of weeks for further inspiration.
My posture is horrible as well x I too have become more conscious because it is actually painful to sit up straight now due to how long I have slumped. 🙁 I have a lump at that back of my neck/upper back from my head being down so much… I’m loving this journey is teaching me to believe in myself and each time I feel myself fight the lump to hold my head high I am reminded that I am making amazing progress x 🙂 I convinced my husband we are going to watch this video tonight x YAY!! 🙂
Yeah that’s kind of the best part about this whole thing. You go in with this specific goal in mind, but then end up developing yourself in the process. <3
WOW — how inspiring, and about challenge itself, beyond expanding abilities to move! I’ll use the energy and trust that Ido evokes to balance my mostly-sedentary activities with purposeful moving of this aging body. Its stiffness is a far cry from my youthful flexibilities, yet there is still much to love! The ‘moment to pause’ buzzing-bracelet that helped me learn mindfulness now will remind me to ‘Keep moving’ via every chance.
Now I really can’t wait to watch the video later! 🙂 I’m already feeling so inspired to get moving x I can only imagine how excited I will be later x 🙂
Normally if I sit I go to sleep. However, a great deal of time, I work of reports, etc. I find that when I sit for any length of time I become stiff. I learned to work my neck while sitting, stretch my arms and legs. I always feel better. However, I will be getting up, walking the stairs a few times. Once the snow melts I will go outside more with the dogs and play with them.
Awww I love the idea of going outside to play with the dogs x I too cannot wait for summer now x 🙂 or at very least spring x We got our garden done last year so its all ready for playtime once the snow melts x YAY! 🙂
I do a variety of things at my computer: Meditate, do this health challenge, work on gratitude,
Play Pogo games, get on FB, etc…
My Apple Watch will vibrate on my wrist and tell me :It’s time to stand. It will also tell me it’s time to breathe. I can pay attention to both prompts and follow them. Also, I’ve challenged myself to do 5000 steps a day and wear a pedometer. I will check on it from time to time and get up and walk around the house. I’m also getting out in nature and walking, if/when weather permits.
I have worn my apple watch for too long ignoring the prompts x 🙁 I have to learn to listen x So many positive little changes! 🙂 I’m so excited! 🙂
I just bought a Fitbit to track my steps and sleep. I was lulled into choosing 10,000 steps which seems impossible on a daily basis. I’ve found myself doing laps in my tiny bathroom while brushing my teeth. That’s dumb obsession. I think I’ll dance instead!
I sit, a lot. I can sit in a variety of postures that will provide further flexibility and mobility. I can also set a reminder every half hour to standing up and stretch around, if even for just a few seconds.
Excuse me for second while I … yep, that was SO worth it.
Hahah!! YOU are THE BEST! I love this x I was setting every hour… I think I will work myself to half an hour! 🙂 This will be so much better! 🙂 Loving this journey! Its structured in such a positive amazing way that it brings a lot of hope and positivity!! Thank you so much x 🙂