The team at Vitalis Physiotherapy want to ensure that you get the most out of your appointments and provide you with a toolkit to continue your recovery beyond the clinic. You’ve likely made a New Year’s resolution, or two, to better your life and we want to help you with that. We want you to be your best self, so here are five changes you can make to help you get back to being you in 2023:
1. Sit Less
The less sitting or lying down you do during the day, the healthier you will be. If you stand and/or move around more during the day, you have a lower risk of early death, being overweight, developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and experiencing depression and anxiety.
But did you know that sitting for extended periods of time can lead to weakening and wasting away of the leg and gluteal muscles? Just like your legs and glutes, your hips and lower back will not support you as well if you sit for long periods.
2. Find a Physical Activity That you Actually Like
The most important thing to remember is to choose an activity that you find fun. Do you prefer to spend time indoors or outdoors? Doing it on your own or with friends and family? You are more likely to abandon bringing exercise into your daily routine if your activity doesn’t suit you.
We recommend booking in with a physiotherapist before you start any new physical activity program. This will allow us to develop a program for you to get back into the swing of things while reducing the risk of you injuring yourself. This is particularly important if you are older than 40, are overweight, haven’t exercised in an extended period of time, or have a chronic medical condition.
3. Drink More Water
Did you know that nearly 80% of people don’t drink enough water each day? If you don’t stay hydrated, your physical performance can suffer. Losing as little as 2% of your body’s water can significantly impair your physical performance. Furthermore, not drinking enough water affects energy levels and brain function with studies showing fluid loss was detrimental to working memory and increased feelings of anxiety and fatigue.
I’ve made it one of my 2023 New Year’s resolutions to drink more water!
4. Get that Niggling Pain or Stiffness Treated
Niggling pain and waking up stiff are an accepted consequence of getting older. While most people tend to accept this as a fact, it really isn’t the case! Getting these kinks worked out are as simple as checking in with your physiotherapist. They’re able to help you relieve any built up stress and identify the cause of the issue and begin treating it in the same breath. You would not believe the difference it makes in the morning when you can spring out of bed and not have to worry about waking up stiff or in pain.
5. Think Improvement, Not Perfection.
The changes you make to your daily routine to improve your life do not have to be perfect, you are just aiming to be better than you have been. By taking one small step at a time, you will be able to become the healthiest and best you.
Book an appointment
Need to see a Physiotherapist? Book an appointment now with one of our team by calling
0410 559 856.
For more information, please see our FAQs or contact the clinic.