The Summer Olympic Games invited much joy into many households. Spectators witnessed inspiring athleticism in a myriad of sports generating nationwide awareness and sparking ideas on our individual approach to movement and physical activity.

A recent study featured by the World Health Organization (June 2024) cited that 1.8 billion adults (31%) do not meet their recommended levels of physical activity: 150 minutes per week of moderate to intense physical activity. This trend of inactivity has increased 5% between 2010 and 2022.1

The study notes that many people over sixty are less active than other adults. On the other end of the spectrum, 81% of adolescents are not getting enough physical activity either. If these trends continue, lack of physical activity will become a silent threat saddling our nation with an even higher chronic disease burden.

The idea of exercise feels daunting for many. However, it has been proven that exercise can deliver a psychological uplift and mitigate depression, anxiety and mood disorders.2 Thus, physical movement can aid the mental health epidemic

How do we spark joy into the idea of exercise? By thinking creatively about how enjoyable activities can include exercise, we may be able to access our inner child and find fun-filled recreation.

This season I tried silent ecstatic dancing in Joshua Tree. A group of us were scattered across the sandstone outcroppings with headphones while moving to music together in our own comfortable expressive space. It was a unique idea and a great two-hour “exercise.”

A friend of mine uses drumming for exercise. He burns 250-350 calories an hour, meeting his allowance of movement while making rhythm. Other fun activities involving exercise are hula hoop, jump rope, dancing classes and water aerobics.

If the idea of walking incites a yawn, add in the mission to search for birds. Keep your eyes and ears open as you walk. If you see or hear a bird, stop and listen. I became so interested in birds during my walks that I downloaded bird songs. After identifying birds, I used an app on my mobile device to send a bird song back to the birds. I became a keen observer of their response.

Every single one of these playful activities constitutes movement and activity.

The summer Olympics featured many fascinating sports that sparked curiosity, including fencing. Dating back to ancient civilizations, this self-defense movement might not be found in every city as a form of exercise, yet Tai Chi is very similar to an ancient self-defense activity based on martial arts. This gentle impact movement can be found in many communities today.

Let us imbue levity into our lives, levity mixed with delightful distractions that can bring about a daily dose of joy and out-of-the-box ways to incorporate more movement.

Jennifer Di Francesco is a wellness explorer and desert adventurist and can be reached at www.coachellabellaboho.com.

References: 1) https://www.who.int/news/item/26-06-2024-nearly-1.8-billion-adults-at-risk-of-disease-from-not-doing-enough-physical-activity; 2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9902068/