Exercise Snacks in Direct Primary Care
Having a Direct Primary Care practice has taught me to lean into both discomfort and growth, while tending to my physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Gentleness has become my guiding principle—I’ve learned to treat myself with kindness as I navigate the roles of doctor, entrepreneur, and business owner.
I’ve noticed that I can become deeply absorbed in my work, sometimes for hours at a time. My office plants keep me company as I listen to podcasts, music, menopause courses, or even YouTube videos about near-death experiences. Strangely enough, I find comfort in the thought that a loving presence will one day help me transition to the next life—hopefully many decades from now. Reflecting on mortality has helped me through the hard moments of business ownership. It reminds me that what matters most—both now and in the end—is that I did my best and shared love with everyone I encountered. In many ways, I find myself going “back to basics,” much like Christina Aguilera sang in the 90s.
Part of supporting myself means caring for my body in practical ways. Time management can be tricky, so I’ve embraced “exercise snacks” throughout the day. While speaking with a patient on the phone, I’ll squeeze in some arm movements. Before the next appointment, I might pause for ten squats. I often laugh at the irony—my last job required me to push through endless red tape, and now I push through wall push-ups to strengthen both my hands and my resolve to keep this practice thriving.
Resistance bands, one-pound weights, and even just five minutes of focused movement can deliver a surprising burn. I once believed a proper workout had to be one or two hours at the gym. While that’s still a goal, I’ve learned that even a few mindful minutes can make a difference, especially on busy days. I just paused for a few cat-cows on my yoga mat before getting back to my writing and finishing this article.
And yes, at times I look like a guppy at the water’s surface while practicing facial exercises to keep my jawline strong. Thrusting my tongue upward to maintain neck strength may not be glamorous—but it works! And sometimes multitasking means fitting those exercises in while washing my hands.
Owning a DPC has stretched my neuroplasticity, creativity, and sense of play. For me, exercise snacks have become a joyful reminder that supporting our beautiful bodies can happen one small flexion and extension at a time.
This was so great. “Touchy feely.” I was usually busting my buns seeing patients, answering pages, taking call and doing hospital rounds to do this chit. Must be a doc who just does office work and goes home at the end of the day. Makes me nauseated. They’re all “Go to the E.R.” wimps in this day and age. Oh heck, another “shift doc” takes care of them instead of their “primary care” doc if they get admitted. F.P. has turned into a bunch of wimps! Heck if one can get paid well for that, more power to them. I would have liked that myself back in the day.