Regular practice of movement (i.e. physical activity or exercise) has proven beneficial effects on body and mind. Here are some tools to help you move your body in a safe and healthy way.
The benefits of movement.
Often when we think of movement, we automatically associate it with a workout at the gym that makes us sweat. However, movement can take many forms and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. In fact, all types of movement are beneficial to our body and mind. Here are some of the benefits of moving your body:
- Release endorphins and help relieve stress.
- Allowing us to take a break from our daily lives.
- Help improve blood circulation.
- Value the expression.
- Strengthen the bond we have with our body.
Do these benefits seem useful to you in your current life? So, it’s time to get moving. Even if the gym isn’t exactly for you, there are plenty of ways to move your body that can help you feel great right now.
-
Raise your arms above your head and smile!
This is one of my favorite mood-enhancing moves. It was met with great skepticism by my former office mates who I encouraged to do when they were feeling down, but it almost always worked. Raise your arms above your head and stretch your fingertips skyward. Now smile. It may sound silly, but it’s actually very hard to feel sad in this position. Scientific research confirms that postures and movements can affect emotional state.
-
Literally do any type of movement outdoors!
Getting away to nature, even to a local park, can elicit so many health benefits that doing literally any type of movement outdoors can positively affect your mood. In 2017, a team of researchers looked at various studies on the subject and came up with a list of twenty proven health benefits of being in nature. Although they note varying levels of evidence, this list includes reduced aggression, stress, depression and anxiety, a general feeling of happiness and better overall health.
-
Run ; Good old runner’s euphoria.
Endorphins, endocannabinoids, monoamines, neurotrophins, and micro-ribonucleic acid all play a role in the good feelings that so many runners experience after running. There are complex things going on here, but the very simple conclusion is that going for a run is likely to improve your mood.
-
Stretch and breathe!
The simple act of breathing deeply can improve your mood and reduce feelings of stress. Adding some standing stretches will allow blood and oxygen to flow through your body and brain. In a more esoteric sense, this type of movement can shift stagnant energy and get you “out of your head and into your body,” which is a great place to become aware of your emotions.
To practice this stretch: Stand with your feet a little wider than hip-width apart. Keep your knees slightly bent. Take a deep breath and raise your arms above your head towards the sky, without raising your shoulders. Exhale and slowly lower down to your toes. Stay like this for a few moments and allow the tension to release in your neck and spine. Inhale again and slowly rise to a standing position, imagining that you are doing it vertebra by vertebra. Repeat this movement fairly quickly at least three or more times.
-
Dance!
Putting on some music and dancing in your living room can be an instant mood booster. Research has shown that dancing can actually lead to subjective well-being. Dancing at home without the pressure of other people’s eyes can allow you to let go, release certain tensions and feel good!
You really can exercise in almost any way to reap the mental health benefits. The important thing is that you move in a way that makes you happy. Ditch the workouts you think you should do and move in a way that brings you joy. This will give you a healthy workout regimen that you can maintain for a long time.
