By Keya Murthy, M.S., C.Ht. –
Have you ever been told that exercise is essential for good health? It’s true, but there’s something just as important your health-care provider or a fitness guru may not have mentioned. In truth, there are two aspects of physical wellness, and one of them rarely gets attention. The often-overlooked aspect is physiological health—the wellness of your internal organs.
Why Exercise Your Organs?
Each organ in your body contains muscle tissue and benefits from exercise, too. Just as your biceps, triceps, hamstrings and quadriceps should be strong, so should your heart, lungs, kidneys, liver and other internal organs. These organs all need support and movement to stay strong and healthy. Many organs have muscle and need gentle movement to help prevent disease.
Physical activities like walking, weightlifting and swimming strengthen your muscles and support your body. In the same way, the muscles in your organs need exercise so your body can function well. When your organs are weak, chronic conditions can arise that often require medication.
The good news is you can strengthen your organs at any age. Even if you already take medication, you can still help your organs. And if you aren’t on medication yet, taking care of your internal health now may help you avoid it in the future.
How to Exercise Your Organs
Traditional practices like yoga, Ayurveda and tai chi emphasize the connection between mind and body. Practitioners believe that nerves from various organs are linked to points in the hands, feet, ears and tongue. By stimulating these areas, you may improve organ function. Reflexologists, for example, map dozens of organs to hundreds of pressure points in the hands.
You don’t need to be a doctor to help your organs. To make it easy, try these three simple hand exercises:
– Finger Flexes. Slowly close your fingers into a fist and then open and spread them wide. Repeat this flexing motion at your own pace at least 10 times (you can always do more).
– Clasp and Wave. Interlock your fingers and hold them in front of you. Move your clasped hands in a gentle, wave-like motion 10 times. Then extend your arms in front of you with your fingers interlocked and palms facing outward. Breathe mindfully and smile.
– Palm and Finger Massage. Using your opposite hand, massage the palm and fingers of each hand: Hold your left hand with your right fingers supporting the back of your left wrist, while your right thumb presses into the palm of your left hand. Gently massage the palm and work up each finger.
Switch hands: hold your right hand with your left fingers supporting the back of your right wrist, and massage the palm of your right hand with your left thumb.
End each hand’s massage by gently squeezing from the wrist to the fingertips. Remember to breathe slowly and smile throughout these gentle movements.
You just gave your body a gentle internal massage with these simple exercises. Taking five to 10 minutes a day can help your organs function better—and you’ll feel healthier and happier as a result. When you’re healthy, you can do everything you love. But when you aren’t feeling well, your body will remind you to pay attention and get healthier.
Take care of your health—it’s the only body you have. Remember, your health truly is in your hands.
Love, peace and blessings,
Namaste!
