Bringing the Joy Back into Movement
Exercise. Often, this is a word that is feared. A word that means punishment, discomfort, and pain for some. Diet culture pushes exercise, framing it as a "chore" or "task" that we all must do, and setting high expectations for what "counts."
Today's focus is on learning how to actually enjoy movement.
*Note: This blog post might not be meant for you if your focus right now is to rest. Everyone is on their own journey with movement, and if you are currently refraining from activity, this might be a post to skip.
Exercise vs. Movement
First, let's distinguish exercise from movement. Exercise typically implies an intentional act of movement in a more formal way, usually with the goal of burning calories or changing your body. It is also often used in a compensatory manner to make up for "bad" food eaten.
On the other hand, movement encompasses any way you move your body. Movement can include intentional exercise, such as walking the dog, gardening, cleaning the house, physical therapy exercises, and stretching for a few minutes during your workday. Just like intuitive eating, we can also be intuitive with our movement and tune in to what feels good for our bodies.
Not all forms of movement are going to be fun (for example, physical therapy exercises to treat an injury). That being said, it is much more powerful when we can connect joy to other forms of movement.
But wait…
You might wonder, "Isn't a mix of cardio, strength, and stretching recommended for our health?" And the answer is yes. Occasionally getting your heart rate up can improve cardiorespiratory fitness, and strength exercises prevent bone loss as we age. However, there is a BIG "but" after that yes. There are a few things to keep in mind here.
These forms of movement do not need to be structured to be achieved (i.e., walking up the stairs in your apartment building is an unstructured form of cardio)
They do not need to be vigorous to see health benefits (you do not need to be lifting weights at the gym, nor do you need to be doing advanced yoga poses)
We do not need to be focused on just our physical health when thinking about movement. Your emotional health is just as important.
The bottom line is, we want movement to be relieving your stress and not adding to it.
Stress & Exercise
In fact, studies have found that low-intensity exercise reduces stress (cortisol) levels, while moderate exercise increases cortisol levels by 40%, and high-intensity exercise increases cortisol by 83%. Cortisol can actually be helpful under the right conditions. Cortisol tells our body it needs tissue repair, which is essential after exercise. However, for cortisol to do its job properly, it needs a few things: REST and proper nourishment (a.k.a. enough food!). If we don't have these, we are essentially increasing the cumulative stress on our bodies.
When cortisol levels are chronically high from physical and emotional stress, lack of rest, or not eating enough, it's counterproductive to add exercise when the goal is better health. Unfortunately, we've internalized this idea that more exercise is always better, but sometimes less is more.
Finding Your Joyful Movement
It's important to note that what feels good for you is not the same across the board. Likewise, what might be joyous for one person may not be right for you.
Some questions to consider when deciding what kind of movement is best for you:
What is my intention for this movement?
What, if any, movement would feel good for my body right now?
What movement do I have time for?
What movement would be enjoyable?
Just like intuitive eating, examining the "why" is essential when practicing intuitive movement. For example, are we wanting movement for harmful purposes, or are we focused on how it will make us feel?
Aim for Flexibility
Holding on to rigidity with our movement can be mentally and physically exhausting. Rest is crucial not only for our body's physical repair but also for living without the burden of exercise on our minds. Maintaining a flexible schedule with movement can look like switching up your form of movement because you got bored of a specific type, taking a break from an activity without guilt, or fitting in short increments of movement throughout your day.
In short...
Learning to bring joy back into movement is a powerful tool that can aid in the connection we feel with our bodies. This joy stems from knowing that there is no right or wrong regarding our bodies, the same being true for movement. Unfortunately, diet culture consistently screams at us to ignore our body and push down its communications, but I urge you to question this message and get curious about what you wish movement looked like in your life.
For more support on building a positive relationship with food and sustainable habits that support your well-being, please reach out to us to schedule a session!
