Today I want to talk to you about a phenomenon that's happening inside you right now, and that you've probably never heard about. It's called thixotropy.

Inside your body right now, your tissues (muscles, tendons, fascia...) are mostly water. And when that water doesn't move, it gets viscous, a bit like honey. But when it moves, it becomes more like water. That's thixotropy.

Now I'd like you to think about your typical day: laptop work, car/bus seat, sofa, phone, bed. Let's be honest, if motion is lotion, you're getting closer to slime than to a clear mountain spring 🥲

This is also why mornings are brutal. You've been fairly still for 7-8 hours, so your body feels stiff and creaky, like you need a proper warm-up before functioning like a normal human.

The good news is that it doesn't take much to re-liquify your tissues. A short walk or a 10-minute yoga routine is enough. Any conscious movement will restore your range of motion and make your body feel functional again.

This is one of the many reasons why I can't shut up about doing "a little, often". Integrating a bit of movement often enough is the key to never feeling like you are much older than you are. (Last week, my optician incredulously screamed "YOU ARE THIRTY NINE ???" when he saw my birthdate and I've been riding that high ever since.)

Anyway, it's not just about fluidity.

When you move, three things happen:

1. Your circulation improves. More oxygen reaches your muscles, organs, and brain, giving you an energy boost.
2. Conscious breathing kicks in. Your nervous system gets regulated, and any sensation of stress decreases.
3. You've taken 10 minutes for yourself. That's inherently satisfying, in a world where demands are constantly made of us and filling our own cup is seen as selfish.

So next time you feel 80 years old when peeling yourself off your chair after a morning of work... remember that it's just thixotropy. You've been still too long, and a bit of movement will do you a world of good.

Take care 🧡

Clem