Did you know that you can improve your energy and memory each morning while brushing your teeth? I call it The Sonicare Workout. Sonicare is that fantastic little invention that has made a change in dental health and it can make a change in your overall health!
No, this isn't a blog on dental health, but rather on how to fit in some fitness for your body and mind while working on your teeth. I am sharing with you my own personal routine that even on busy days I can do to feel more energy and all around improved fitness.
Did you know that memory is greatly improved by balancing? Even the slightest movements that involve balance have shown to improve memory for those of all ages.
Those fancy little toothbrushes, even the disposable ones the you can pick up for a few dollars, have a timer on them. They let you know to keep brushing for 2 minutes until it shuts off. Sonicare and several of the high-end brushes come with a 30 second alert so that you know to move to another area of your teeth to brush. The following is a workout for your body, mind and teeth while brushing.
While brushing your teeth, use the 30 second increments as a guideline for a few stretches, balance and toning.
Here are a few I have found really do get results!
Leg Raises:
While putting all of your weight on one leg, do lateral raises out to the side with your other leg. If the movement up and down is too much to balance, try tightening your abdominal muscles for stability. If that still doesn't work, then just lift the leg out to the side or wherever you find comfortable and hold it there until the toothbrush beeps. Reverse to the other side until the next beep. Let your goal be to stay steady enough with the rest of your body that you can continue to increase the height of the lift. This will tighten your outer thigh, as well as your abs. The object is to raise and lower or hold, but concentrate on the muscle being worked and you will be anxious for that 30 second alert.
Donkey Kicks:
Lean your elbows on the counter and lift one leg behind you as high as you can, bend the knee 90 degrees. If you have done some exercising before then you have probably heard this referred to as a donkey kick. Tighten your gluteus maximus (butt) as you lift. This doesn't have to be a big motion, the idea is to contract the muscles or your back side!
Hamstring Curls:
While leaning on the counter, lift leg behind you and bending knee to 90 degrees, you can work the hamstrings; the backs of the legs. While getting the leg as high as you can, bend the knee and straighten, contracting the muscles in the back of the upper leg until the toothbrush beeps. Reverse legs.
Hip Flexors:
Same as the leg raises, but with toes pointed and legs raised forward. If you need to start with a bent knee then that is a great beginner move. Remember to tighten your core muscles for stability. Switch legs at the beep.
Doing any exercises that incorporate balance will improve energy and contracting the muscles gets that blood pumping before you head off to work for the day. I also recommend doing these at night for a nice bit of improved circulation before resting for the evening.
These were just a few suggestions to get you started. You can continue to check my blog for other exercises and illustrations. Use your imagination, be consistent and be enjoy the benefit of caring for your teeth, body and mind all in one! Soon the buzz of that toothbrush will serve as a reminder to take care of all of you!
Happy Brushing!!
This is brilliant. I love it!
Niya
Posted by: N I Y A | April 20, 2009 at 08:41 PM
I'll try it! Always looking for ways to do more things with my time!
Posted by: Janet Perkett | April 21, 2009 at 07:57 AM
I'm going to be unoriginal with this one, but I think this IS brilliant. That's basically hitting two birds with one stone! Brushing usually is boring with just... you know. Plain brushing. Adding the exercise part's going to spice it up a bit. Thanks for the suggestion!
Posted by: Jesse Hake | June 06, 2011 at 03:23 PM