Here are the simple daily moves I swear by to keep myself feeling good without making it complicated.
1. Morning Stretch: Wake Up Your Body
Sometimes I do my old stretches from when I was a dancer.
The first thing I do when I wake up, before coffee and before emails, is to stretch. Just five minutes of gentle movement helps release the stiffness from sleeping. I reach my arms overhead, stretch side to side, and then do a slow forward fold, letting my head and arms hang loose.
My tip: Keep a yoga strap (okay, truth: I actually just keep an old scarf) on the side of my bed. I loop it around my feet to stretch out my hamstrings without straining.
What I use: I keep it quick and easy with this video I found on YouTube by NikkiFitness – 2-minute wake-up workout by NikkiFitness. Yes, it’s FREE, so you have no excuse not to try it.
2. Core Connection: A Strong Center Makes Everything Easier
A strong core doesn’t just make your waistline look good; it helps with balance, posture, and even prevents back pain. I like to do a simple set of seated twists or gentle modified planks (even from the knees) for just a minute or two. It’s amazing how much stronger I feel when my middle feels supported.
My tip: I often do seated twists right in a chair while reading or watching TV. It’s a sneaky exercise, but it works.
What I use: I actually prefer to move to music. As a former dancer, it helps me keep an even rhythm, so I “borrow” my husband’s Sony Noise CancelingHeadphones and use some of my favorite songs to move to, but I just found a pair like his in a color I prefer for myself
3. Daily Walk: Movement That Feels Natural
Walking is the most underrated exercise. You don’t need to power-walk or break a sweat (unless you want to). A twenty-minute stroll outdoors clears mind, gets your heart moving, and loosens stiff joints.
My tip: I time my walks around sunset with my husband. There’s something magical about moving while the sky changes colors. It feels like a reward for the day, plus it’s a time for us away from everything, where we can actually connect. The other thing I do is go shopping. I don’t have to buy anything, but I’ll park far away from where I’m going to get my walking in, then walk around the stores for hours (just ask Rach or my brother, who always call and I say “I’m out shopping”). It’s my way of getting a LOT of movement that doesn’t feel like I’m getting exercise.
What I use: For me, I need an incentive to get out and just walk sometimes, and the key is comfortable walking shoes that also look great; otherwise, I will skip a few days (blisters!!!). I found these beautiful classic-looking beek Sandpipers that I can wear all day long (shopping time) that look so COOL, but have a footbed that’s ultra-comfortable.
A great walking shoe that I can wear with jeans and even dresses (you know my style) is a must for me, but they’ve got to have either that classic look or be incredibly funky looking (it’s just my style), and these are my holy grail sneakers that I can make these go either way depending on what I’m wearing. So, I’ve got no excuse when Mr. S says, Let’s go for a walk…Or I decide that I want to look at EVERYTHING they have in Ikea (now, THAT’S a great shopping walk trip).
- I’ll have more about them in an upcoming Monday Ritual, but if you love the way they look (and I know you’ll love how they feel). You can buy them at beek
- FYI, if you use THIS LINK you can get FREE SHIPPING through November 5, 2025
4. Balance Practice: Stay Steady and Confident
Balance is one of those things we don’t think about until it becomes a problem. Every day, I take a minute to practice standing on one leg while brushing my teeth or waiting for the kettle to boil. It strengthens the stabilizing muscles and keeps me steady on my feet. I was a dancer when I was young, and I found that doing the simplest of ballet poses helps.
My tip: I sometimes close my eyes while practicing balance (holding onto the counter, of course!). It’s harder, but it helps improve coordination even more.
What I use: Don’t laugh at me, but I’ve been using the Gibbon SlackBoard. It LOOKS like a skateboard, but it’s really great at improving balance. Just to be safe, I set up my GiBoard by the breakfast bar and turn on the TV and watch while I’m balancing (is that actually multitasking????). I took a bad fall this year from being over-medicated with a seizure medication and hurt myself, and as a former dancer, I know that my balance should have been better. This gave me two MAJOR goals for the year.
- Get off of that medication.
- Make sure that never happens again by improving my balance.
This is a great way to make sure I would actually WORK ON IT every day without having to leave for dance class or go to the gym, etc. I keep it tucked right under where I use it, so I see it as soon as I pour my morning coffee.
Best of all, they offer FREE sources of workouts:
There’s also a free Gibbon Balance App Once you open the app, click on Programs on the bottom of the screen. Then you’ll see the options for Seniors, Kids, Adults on the top of the next screen.
- If you REALLY want to work on your balance, I’ve got a promo code for 10% off when you buy it directly from GiboardUS (or you can pick one up on Amazon.com without the discount)
- Code: CL10 for those buying directly
5. Evening Release: Loosen Up Before Bed
Just like I stretch in the morning, I end the day with a few gentle moves. A seated forward bend or lying down with my legs up against the wall for a few minutes helps release the day’s tension. It also helps me sleep better.
My tip: I combine this with deep breathing. Remember to inhale through the nose and exhale slowly through the mouth. It’s the quickest way I know to quiet my mind before bed.
What I Use: I go back to NikkiFitness on YouTube and do her 15-minute Yoga for Sleep. It gets rid of all of that tension and stress from the day and helps me relax. Best of all, I can do them right in bed.
Wrapping It Up
Movement doesn’t need to be about sweat or perfection. A few minutes in the morning, a walk during the day, a balance check here and there, and a gentle release at night—these little moments of intentional movement keep me strong, steady, and connected to my body.
The best part? None of this requires a gym or a schedule. It’s about weaving movement into your day in a way that feels natural and sustainable.
