Healthy Habit #4: Movement or Exercise
As human beings, we are meant to move. I’m guessing you might have heard someone tell you the phrase, “use it or you’ll lose it”? As we age, it is increasingly more important to continue moving to keep your body in shape or else you will lose “it”. I’m not going to review some of the well-known potential health benefits of exercise, notably decreasing risk for certain medical conditions like cardiovascular issues, diabetes, cancer, etc. What I will do though, is dive more into how movement in general can serve as an ally for you when battling mental illness, addiction, and/or just having a bad day.
When you think of, read, or hear the word “exercise”, what comes to mind? For me, it jumps to lifting weights, sweating, working hard, panting. As we all know, there is much more to exercise than my quick, shortcut answer above. That is why I like the word “movement”. This is more welcoming, encompassing, and less intimidating. Movement can serve as a wonderful distractor and mindfulness “trainer”. Think about a time when you were “in your head”, “in your feelings”, stuck, stewing. Oftentimes this happens when we are not moving, seemingly paralyzed and controlled by our distressing thoughts and feelings.
Movement allows the opportunity to change your surroundings and focus. Movement can bring to your awareness new or different input or stimulation. In other words, if you’re stewing on the couch “zoning out”, getting up and moving to another room or going outside might offer different options that could grab your attention (e.g. books on a shelf, the refrigerator, picture on the wall, different temperature outside than inside, the wind, your garden outside or a barking dog on a walk, etc). The point is to lessen your focus on the stewing thoughts and feelings in any way possible. Think about stretching different muscles or using a foam roller or massage gun. These different fitness activities require you to put some attention towards each movement and then receive feedback from your body about the effectiveness of that movement. Can you feel your hamstrings, are they tight? Did you find a knot in your back that needs to be released? Or simply, can you feel the pull and loosening of your neck when stretching? All these scenarios can slyly grab your attention and lead you to become present, in the moment, and get out of your head. Sneaky, yet effective.
From personal experience, stretching and exercise are part of my daily routine. They are as important as eating breakfast and brushing my teeth. If I’m in a bad mood or feeling anxious, I have found that stretching, foam rolling, and movement provide me w/ relief. I typically feel better and never regret movement.
So, I gently encourage you to consider moving when possible to “change your scenery” or routine. Whether it is a walk, a stroll, changing rooms in your living space, bike ride, or a hard workout: it all adds up. It all counts. Do you ever regret movement or exercising? I’m guessing most of the time, the answer is no. Plus, you get to take ownership of the decision to move. That must be worth it! And if I recall, movement or exercise typically do not have any negative side effects.
*Of course, please consult your primary care doctor or trusted medical provider if you decide to engage in any sort of exercise and/or want to use a foam roller or massage gun.
