Benefits of Physical Movement
- Carrie Carlson
- 10 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Carrie Carlson
Sooner or later, all of us struggle to find motivation to either continue, or begin an exercise/physical movement routine. In a world that often encourages us to prioritize (and value) social and professional productivity over personal wellness, it can be spectacularly difficult to justify the expenditure of valuable resources on something that doesn't appear to serve what we've been trained to consider ‘productive’. We need to know that what we're doing will be worth the time, energy, and money we may need to invest.
We all know physical activity is good for our bodies, but how often are we reminded of the mental and emotional benefits? Body and mind are intricately intertwined. What happens with one will impact the other. Neglecting one may harm the other, while choosing to support and nourish one can strengthen the whole. If you are considering beginning a new routine, or are struggling to maintain motivation to continue an existing routine, try thinking of it as holistic self-care, rather than a chore targeted at a specific thing. A strong, healthy body supports a calmer and more resilient mind. An investment in yourself is an investment in others. If you yourself are mentally and physically healthy and well-balanced, you'll be better equipped to show up more fully for others.
The following is a list of some of the mental and emotional benefits you may reap from regular physical activity:
Reduced stress. Exercise provides an excellent outlet for all that pent-up energy and tension you've been struggling to contain all day and have likely begun storing in your body.
Anxiety management. Stress and anxiety often go hand-in-hand. When one is present, the other often is, too. Reducing stress helps reduce the amount of time you spend in an anxious, triggered state and may also help you walk your way back out. Focused movement can help us break free from toxic mental spirals by grounding our attention in the present moment.
Improved sleep. Reduce the first two items on this list and you'll receive this third benefit as a happy bonus.
Depression management. Apart from the benefits already listed above (which all help with this in their own ways), regular exercise and the development of new skills generates positive mental feedback, promotes improved confidence and self-esteem, and can help us begin to rewrite negative self-talk. It feels good to achieve a goal, see positive results, and do something we know supports our wellbeing, which can feel like a soothing balm on a raw psyche.
Learning challenging new skills and working around physical and/or mental obstacles in a movement setting can translate into greater confidence and problem-solving skills elsewhere in our lives. Activities that involve a puzzle element, such as parkour, teach us to view obstacles as opportunities for growth, which can lead to a shift in overall mindset.
Discovering that the stories you've been telling yourself about your abilities are wrong, and that you're capable of more than you thought is a profoundly empowering experience. It may lead you to question and challenge some of your other limiting perspectives as well.
Choosing a physical activity that's mentally engaging, (i.e. exciting, fun, and creative) incentivizes the activity and makes it easier to maintain. If it's fun and engaging, you'll struggle less with loss of motivation and remain more consistent. Long term consistency is the key to success.
It's important to remember that it may take some time for these effects to become apparent, in the same way that it takes time for the physical benefits to become apparent. Be patient with yourself and with the process.
