Recommendations for Lifestyle Changes to Stay Active, Healthy, and Happy

I am a physical therapist – that being said, I already have a bias towards exercise and physical activity. I love to encourage others to engage in any type of physical activity that they enjoy for their own benefit. Not only do these lifestyle changes make you feel better, but it is also imperative to your overall health and well-being. 

As a physical therapist, most of the time patients come to see me because they are in pain or unable to do something they would like to due to pain. Through rehab, I try to instill the importance of not just doing your home exercises for a few weeks, but implementing them into a daily routine for a healthier lifestyle.  

Exercise

Exercise releases endorphins which can help to relieve pain, reduce stress, and decrease anxiety. Dopamine and serotonin are also released with exercise which can improve your mood and motivation. 

Exercise is also helpful at preventing conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. 

With all the positive effects of exercise, it is part of my job to encourage others to do it routinely. If a patient is in pain, reducing their symptoms of pain is the first goal, but teaching someone how to continue to live pain free and improve their quality of life moving forward is just as important. 

Other Helpful Lifestyle Changes

Some lifestyle recommendations that I encourage patients to incorporate into their daily routine include: 

• Setting an alarm for the same time every day to do their home exercise routine. 
• Setting a goal for fluid intake to continue to stay hydrated for optimal healing. 
• Going on a walk while drinking morning coffee, tea. 
• Going on a walk while talking to a friend or family member on the phone. 
• Standing up every hour during the day if you are working at a desk or sitting a lot at work.
• Encouraging your children to complete activities with you to teach them the importance of daily exercise. 
• Encouraging friends and family to do exercise with you and holding one another accountable. 
• Doing exercises YOU enjoy – jiu jitsu, walking, dancing, gardening, swimming, running etc. – so that you will continue to incorporate this positive change into your week. 

And, if you want help and guidance from a licensed clinician to safely start exercising to improve your health and mobility, feel free to give us a call or book an appointment online.

Susannah Azofeifa, PT, DPT was born and raised in Owensboro, Kentucky but now calls North Augusta, SC home. She attended the University of Louisville and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology/Exercise Science in 2017. She then attended Breanu University where she received her doctorate of physical therapy in 2021. Susannah enjoys treating a wide range of orthopedic conditions and also specializes in treating pelvic floor dysfunction, and pre and post partum individuals. She enjoys spending time doing activities such as CrossFit, being outdoors, traveling, being with family, and spending time with her husband, Fabian. She heads up our Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy (PFPT) program here at ProActive.