Dear 35- to 55-year-olds (and anyone else who feels addressed),

It’s remarkable that we live in a time and society where national recommendations for physical activity and exercise promotion are necessary – and yet they are often ignored. Our society suffers from a lack of movement, which can have serious health consequences.

When I tell people in my surroundings how much I move each week, the reactions range from “Wow, how do you manage that?” to “Isn’t that a bit excessive?” or “I wish I had that much time available.” These reactions show how unusual sufficient physical activity has become.

For me, movement is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle and my daily work routine. However, the reality is clear: Germans of all age groups do not move enough. Reports from health insurance companies and authorities confirm the alarmingly high inactivity – an inactivity that can lead to chronic injuries, diseases (both mental and physical), and even death in the long run.

I work closely with people and often see that they believe they need more relaxation when, in fact, what they lack is sufficient and meaningful movement. It is rare for someone (except professional athletes) to suffer from too much training or movement.

No, we don’t all need to follow the “health-lifestyle-hype-influencer-type training” – it can be tiring to watch all those perfect social media reels. I also feel resistance and want to distance myself from that. But I am convinced that enough movement, healthy recovery, and meditation together are the best stress management you can do.

For this, you often need to leave your comfort zone! Just because you don’t have any health restrictions yet doesn’t mean you are taking good care of yourself.

5000 steps a day is nothing more than a light walk. Carrying laundry to the basement is not strength training. Cycling on weekends is nice, but it doesn’t build enough muscle. Meditation is more than “sitting still.”

Questions for You:

• How much do you move overall?
• How often do you do strength training to build muscle?
• How often do you train in a way that pushes your limits and makes you stronger and fitter?
• How do you take care of your flexibility and mobility?
• How often do you meditate or practice mindfulness exercises?

When was the last time you tried something new in terms of physical activity or sports? When was the last time you tried something new in stress management?

I’m giving you the right push to get moving – do you dare? Or would you rather wait until your first bad blood work?

Enjoy motion & mindfulness!

Kristin