The Role of Movement in Personal Wellness
For most of my life, movement was a given. This personal journey also reflects a bigger truth about workplace wellness through movement. It shows how the way we move shapes not just our health, but how we show up at work and in life. I was a lifelong athlete. Sports like soccer and skating shaped me from the age of six into my late twenties. I craved the high-speed sprints, the coordination, the adrenaline, and the camaraderie. Later, I found other forms of motion that gave me purpose and power: MMA and hiking. I didn’t know life without it.
How Remote Work Changed Everything
Then came remote work, and with it, my 30s, adulting, and raising a family. Life shifted. I still wanted to move, but suddenly it wasn’t automatic. The energy I once had on tap was now spoken for by meetings, meals, chores, and the constant rhythm of parenthood. Sitting became the default, and for the first time, movement had to be a conscious choice.
At first, I loved the convenience of working from home. But slowly, I felt the shift. I was sitting more, moving less. Simple tasks started to feel harder. I chalked it up to a busy season or the aftermath of the pandemic, but the truth was, I had let go of one of the most important tools in my personal wellness journey: movement.
Reclaiming Movement in a Sedentary World
Working from home removed the natural transitions that used to anchor my days. There were no walks to the office kitchen, no short trips between meeting rooms, no gym pit stops after clocking out. The comfort of sitting down became deceptively easy to slip into: TV after work, emails before bed, the couch as my new lunch break companion. And I’m not alone. Sitting has become the default state of modern life.
Eventually, I had to face the real impact. Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. I missed the clarity, the joy, the spark that movement had always given me. It wasn’t just exercise; it was fuel.
Building New Rhythms That Fit Real Life
So, I made a shift. I didn’t try to go back to who I was. I built new rhythms for who I am now. I began coaching my daughter’s soccer team, which became more than just bonding time; it reconnected me to the team spirit I’d missed. My wife and I carved out time for small mountain getaways where we’d hike, unplug, and reconnect. Even mid-day runs between meetings, quick mobility stretches, and biking on the weekends became anchors in a more intentional lifestyle.
Now, movement isn’t something I fit in. It’s something I build around. It’s how I reset, how I reflect, how I find joy again.
Why Movement Matters at Work, Too
As a professional working in HR and People Operations, I think a lot about the intersection of personal wellness and professional performance. Studies show that even light movement throughout the day can:
Improve cognitive function and focus
Reduce stress levels and support mental health
Boost morale and workplace satisfaction
It’s not about tracking steps. It’s about creating a life that moves, literally and figuratively. Workplace wellness through movement is a strategic imperative, not a nice-to-have.
Movement as a Path to Connection and Growth
With movement, I’ve also found connection. With my daughter on the soccer field, with my wife on mountain trails, and even with remote friends and family members through co-working, walks, or shared fitness goals. It’s reminded me that growth, real meaningful growth, doesn’t happen in stillness or comfort. It happens when we stretch, when we move, when we get outside the lines of what’s easy.
Closing Reflections: Rediscovering Energy Through Movement
Comfort is tempting. But it rarely fulfills. Movement does. It brings energy, connection, and perspective. These are the foundations of a good life and a fulfilling career.
As an HR professional, I know how powerful these small steps can be, not just for individuals but for entire teams. Workplace wellness through movement is more than a personal practice. It is a pathway to stronger culture and healthier organizations.
I’m grateful to work where wellness isn’t just talked about—it’s lived and expected. After all, what is a company without a healthy, energized workforce? If you’re ready to begin, grab our zero-cost Wellness Kit. And when you want to see it at scale, spin up a free demo account to explore the platform firsthand.
