There’s a new movement manifesto in town, and it’s not about abs and inches. From mental clarity to endorphins, the reasons we move are vast, personal, and most importantly, a means of embracing the joy—sweat, mess, and all.
Whatever your feel-good fitness goals are, it’s time to establish your very own movement mantra—and we tapped Nike and a few Well+Good staffers to help inspire you to do just that. Whether you’re after a bit of rest and grounding, in desperate need of an energy boost, or somewhere in between, your mantra starts with harnessing a holistic outlook and tapping into your body—so you can find movement that helps you tell your story, in all its beautiful imperfection.
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These days, Sidebotham’s mornings look a bit more like sliding into a loungey maternity set, slicing up some strawberries (hello, pregnancy hankering), and maybe heading out for a walk—and less like the pre-sunrise, super-sweaty workouts from her pre-pregnancy routine. To help her ease into this new rhythm, she’s keeping a “give yourself rest” mantra on repeat.
Nike trainer Rebeckah Price is a huge proponent of this restorative movement mantra, walking practice included. “Walking allows you to meet your body where it is,” she says. And, like any holistic routine, it goes beyond just the physical benefits. “Walking in nature has been shown to reduce cortisol levels and overall stress, which in turn supports our body’s ability to rest and restore itself.”
But instead of quitting her beloved long runs cold-turkey, Sidebotham has found ways to couple her endorphin endeavors with rest. She pauses to stretch before logging miles, alternates between walks and jogs, and nourishes her body with plenty of peanut butter and coconut yogurt when she’s through. Oh, and her joints are *seriously* thanking her.
As she adjusts to a growing tummy, Sidebotham is more thoughtful about not just her physical activity, but her activewear, too. She’s living in her Nike Zenvy maternity leggings, which are just the right combo of snug (to help support an achy back) and stretchy (to make room for the babe). Before heading out for a walk/run, she pairs them with a sturdy sports bra and a colorful pair of cushiony, supportive sneaks.
Whether you’re in a season of physical or emotional change or not, consider trying on Sidebotham’s movement mantra for size. Call it permission to find a little more rest and restoration (and a few more strawberries) in your daily routine.
“I’ve come to realize that slowing down doesn’t mean losing the race—instead, it’s allowed me to look up, savor all the fleeting moments, and breathe more deeply. Bonus: My knees have never been happier.”
When Helen Sidebotham learned she was pregnant with her first child just a few months ago, one of the first impending changes she considered was her workout regimen. As a branded content editor at Well+Good and a lover of burpees and boot camp, she’s walked (um, run) through most of her adult life with a harder-better-faster mindset. But as she observes new changes in her body every day, she’s challenging herself to focus a bit less on pounding the pavement and a bit more on rest and restoration.
Helen Sidebotham
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