One Simple Daily Routine You Can Start Doing Right Away

Here's one simple routine you can start doing to add movement to your day and improve your mobility:

Sit on the floor with your legs crossed. And then, try standing without using your arms (whether to push on the floor or the walls). If you can't, use your arms as little as possible. And everyday you do this, use your arms less and less until you can stand up without their support.

It's quite fun actually.

I first saw this movement in a video on social media—from a yoga page I follow. And then I find out in the AoM podcast that it's one of the mobility/physical tests in Kelly Starrett and his wife's book, Built to Move: The Ten Essential Habits to Help You Move Freely and Live Fully.

How should you incorporate the movement in your daily activities?

You can work cross-legged on the floor, with your laptop on a low table. That's what I do few hours a day, and it's easy to add to my daily routine because I work from home. Every 60 or 90 minutes, I'd get up to drink a glass of water, and practice the movement.

If you're not working from home, think of your daily activities and pick one (or more) that you can do from the floor. If you meditate or journal, this is perfect. If you have a morning routine—say a meditation, followed by writing your morning pages and your intentions for the day, maybe you even read the bible, then you can do the whole routine sitting on the floor.

And then remember to practice getting up with minimal use of your arms.

It's simple and easy to add to your daily routine, but it makes a huge impact to your health—now and in your golden years.