Movement is medicine (even if you hate to admit it)
When I was 13, I was super dramatic and angsty. It could’ve been from a fight with my mom, my grades, peers at school, or really anything under the sun. But I noticed that I always felt better after turning on my Barbie CD player, blasting music, and singing and dancing in my room when no one was home.
I was never exactly understood why, or knew that there was an actual physiological reasoning behind it, I just knew it worked. Flash forward 11 years later, as someone completely enamored by the world of wellness, it all makes sense.
Establishing an active lifestyle can be challenging. And before you get worried, this post is not an attack on how you need to look better, exercise a certain way, hire a personal trainer or sign up for Barry’s bootcamp. I’m simply talking about keeping yourself in motion – literally. There are tons of studies that prove living a sedentary lifestyle is detrimental (like here, here, and here). The physical benefits of exercise are clear and I’ll save those topics for fitness in the future. But for now, I want to focus on what’s often overlooked. The mental benefits.
Our bodies have physical reactions to our feelings all the time. When you’re stressed your jaw clenches, your shoulders tense up, you might even experience stomach pain or nausea. Our physical feelings are closely aligned to our mental health. I know it might not be your first instinct to move when you’re stressed, but think about it. If you decide to stretch, shake, or dance during a mentally tough moment, you’re relieving the physical tension in your body that’s making your emotions much more overwhelming. Feeling stressed is enough of a mental toll, it doesn’t need to harm you physically to! Being active allows you to escape those negative emotions for a bit and take control over how you’re feeling. It’s a release more than anything.
So I guess THAT’S why putting on a concert to Hilary Duff or Jesse McCartney worked such wonders for me! 😂
Try implementing movement during stressful or anxiety filled moments. It’s also a good practice to try when you’re simply feeling sluggish in the middle of the day. As someone who loves to make a second or third cup of coffee in the afternoon, I’ve notice if I take a walk outside instead, I get that same surge of energy and focus just as well.
Most importantly, find something you enjoy doing - it could be dancing, running, walking, yoga, kickboxing, cycling, sports, the list goes on and on. If you’re a beginner, try doing things in two minute increments. Two minutes of jumping jacks, two minutes of squats, two minutes of jogging in place or two minutes of deep stretching. Don’t burn yourself out by doing too much to quick! When implementing lifelong healthy habits, it’s about small steps, not big leaps.
Remember you don’t need to wait for these anxious moments to start moving either! Exercising regularly can actually help keep those negative emotions at bay. The endorphins from physical activity can help maintain stress levels, boost confidence, improve mental clarity and even minimize symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Let’s take ownership of our bodies this year. Comment down below your favorite way to get moving!
*Disclaimer: I am not a certified personal trainer, health professional or mental health expert. If you suffer from severe anxiety, depression, panic attacks, or other diagnoses, these tactics might not work for you. Please research and consult a professional if you’re concerned before implementing any practices I suggest.
