Let Motion Be Your Potion: Insights from a Health and Wellness Coach
- Health Coaches Academy
- Sep 1
- 3 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Written by:
Jacobie Serfontein
HCA Graduate Health & Wellness Coach
We often hear that “movement is medicine” – and it’s true. Regular movement has powerful effects on your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. As a Health and Wellness Coach, I’ve seen how even small, consistent steps can make a big difference.
Why Movement Matters For Our Overall Health
Physical Health: Movement helps regulate your weight, improves cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles and bones, and boosts your immune system. It’s one of the best ways to prevent chronic illnesses.
Mental Clarity: Exercise boosts the release of endorphins, your body’s natural “feel-good” hormones.
Energy Boost: You might feel like you’re too tired to work out, but regular exercise actually increases your energy levels over time.
Stress Relief: Exercise can lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, providing a natural way to manage anxiety and tension. It helps improve sleep quality, too!
Common Barriers to Movement
I know that for many of us, fitting movement into our busy lives can feel like a huge challenge. Time constraints, comparison paralysis (where we spend all our energy focussing on what others are doing in their fitness journey), and unrealistic expectations of what is needed can all create barriers. We think we need to follow a super intense routine, hit a certain fitness level, or spend hours at the gym to be “successful” with movement.
As a Health and Wellness Coach, I remind clients that movement should always support their wellbeing and is something that can be enjoyable, shifting the focus from aesthetics or perfection.
Practical Tips to Start Moving From a Health and Wellness Coach:
Here are some of my simple, practical tips to weave more movement into your life:
Start Small: Aim for 10-minute chunks of movement throughout the day. A quick walk around the block or a few minutes of stretching in the morning or before bed adds up. Remember, the key is consistency, not perfection.
Find What You Enjoy: Don't waste your time doing something you physically hate. (I recently took a vow that I will not do a burpee in this lifetime!) Dance in your living room, go for a stroll in the park, play with your dog. The more enjoyable the movement, the more likely you are to stick with it!
Set Realistic Goals: Focus on how movement makes you feel rather than how much you’re doing. Celebrate progress, no matter how small. Reward yourself for achieving your movement goals.
Incorporate Movement Into Daily Tasks: Try standing or walking during phone calls, stretching while watching TV, or doing squats while brushing your teeth. These little habits can add up throughout the day.
Mix It Up: Variety keeps things fresh! One day you could walk, the next day try a short yoga session, or go for a bike ride. This prevents boredom and helps prevent burnout.
Be Kind to Yourself: Life is unpredictable. There will be days when movement just doesn’t happen, and that’s okay. What matters is getting back at it when you can and being compassionate with yourself.
Health isn’t about rigid rules, it’s about showing up for yourself and choosing movement that feels good. Have you found the kind of movement that moves you? Why not try something you’ve always been curious about?
If you’re passionate about helping others discover the power of movement and living life well, explore becoming a Health and Wellness Coach with HCA. Join a free introductory webinar to learn more. Click here to view our upcoming webinar dates.