Moving for Mental Health
While cross country skiing with friends over the weekend, I commented that moving my body in this way—especially while in nature—felt meditative. I literally felt like I could ski all day. One friend laughed and said his ‘meditative’ state was filled with four letter expletives expressing frustration while climbing hills on skis. I’m sure that were we playing golf, he’d report feeling ‘in the zone’ while I’d be the one cursing my ineptness at trying to land the ball on the green.
What’s true for each of us, is that rhythmic movement has a way of taking our minds off things, a way of soothing our hyperactive minds or sharpening our dull ones. The more mastery we develop with that movement, the more naturally we’re able to go with the flow and lose ourselves in the moment. Coming into present moment awareness, with no agenda about what’s next, nor carrying any baggage about what has been, is key to our states of happiness and wellbeing. Using movement to help us get there can be more accessible for people who find seated meditation challenging, and it has additional benefits.
Our bodies are storehouses of all our experiences and emotions. Paying attention to the messages we receive from our bodies, and responding to that wisdom, is well worth doing. Research into the mind–body connection has become increasingly popular. A study published in a 2019 JAMA Psychiatry journal showed that running for 15 minutes a day or walking for an hour reduces the risk of major depression. We are just beginning to understand the reasons movement has this effect on us, but we now know that the answer goes far beyond the release of endorphins.
From an emotional perspective, negative emotions create dys-synchrony and disconnection. Synchrony refers to ‘being in step’, in sync, and in rhythm. It’s flowing together without effort. Rhythmic movement is synchronous and helps us dislodge negative emotions. So, when you’re feeling any negative emotions—anger, anxiety, depression, frustration—rhythmic movement is like an emotional balm that you can apply yourself.
Walking is our most balanced and accessible rhythmic activity, because it involves bipedal locomotion. Arms and legs swing naturally, every part of the body can easily fall into a natural rhythm. Since learning to walk as toddlers, we’ve acquired enough practice hours to develop mastery. Of course, running, swimming, cross country skiing, yoga, dancing and any form or rhythmic movement that you enjoy and are proficient in can induce a flowlike meditative state.
Choosing to respond to negative emotions in a positive way starts with awareness and continues with intention and action. Putting one foot in front of the other, for even a short walk, can be the beginning of an empowered, new response. Training our bodies and minds to free ourselves from thoughts, feelings, and external noise that drain our energy begins one small step at a time.
If you want to learn more about how to use mindful movement to enhance your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, join me for my free Self-Care During COVID webinars. Next up is Walking Away Worry, on Friday February 12th at 12:30 PM. If you’re looking for more individual support and are interested in creating a sustainable plan to bring more movement and mindfulness into your life, I welcome you to schedule a complimentary Introduction to Coaching session with me.