Movement Matters: A Reflection on My Chat with the Hygienist

Following yesterday’s post about my conversation with my dental hygienist, she asked me a fantastic question:

“With what I do as a dental hygienist, I feel like I don’t move enough. Is it bad that I’m mostly standing in one spot, getting up occasionally to grab tools, head to the kitchen, or go to the bathroom?”

It’s a valid concern, and her curiosity highlights a growing awareness around movement—or the lack thereof—in our daily lives.

I reassured her that, as a dental hygienist, she’s not in the sedentary category. The relief on her face was immediate. Why? Because her job inherently involves frequent motion: standing, twisting, reaching, and shifting positions throughout the day. This is a stark contrast to sedentary professions like accounting, law, or even some surgical roles where individuals might sit in one position for hours at a time.

For context:

• Receptionists or desk workers who primarily sit, looking forward or making small side-to-side motions, are often sedentary.

• Dental hygienists, dentists, teachers, physical therapists (if they’re doing their job right), and others who engage in consistent, varied movement during their workday are not sedentary.

Here’s the key takeaway I shared with her:
It’s better to do a little bit of movement throughout the day than to cram all your motion into one short block of time and remain sedentary for the rest.

For example, someone who takes periodic breaks to stand, stretch, and move every hour is in a better position (literally!) than someone who does a killer 60-minute workout but sits for the remaining 15 hours of the day. Motion, even in small doses, adds up and keeps your body functioning optimally.

So, to all the hygienists, teachers, and others in motion-heavy professions: Keep doing what you’re doing! And for those with more stationary roles—find ways to integrate small bursts of movement into your day. Your body will thank you.

Thanks for spending your time and attention with me today.
Keep moving and keep getting better every day.