Using Movement to Heal the Mind

When I look at myself a year ago, I see someone chasing the American dream, in a depressing corporate role, and struggling to find time to incorporate exercise into my life. Of course, you can have a great job and still be able to live up to a consistent workout schedule. However, unhappiness at work or in life can have a trickle-down effect if not addressed. When you’re not truly living in your purpose, it starts to have a costly impact on you. At the time, I was in a toxic work environment and constantly stressed; my only relief was going out to eat and drinking, so unhealthy eating and an uptick in my alcohol consumption had a noticeable impact. This was deeper than weight gain; my mental health and healthy habits declined overall. In this article, I will share how I use movement and physical activity to improve my mind, further supporting my wellness journey.

Walking Off Depression

Relocating to a walkable town for a season, or long term, is one of the best things you can do for your mental health. In the United States, walkability often translates to a big city with sidewalks and easier access to consuming goods or going to work. I prefer the opposite, ideally I would like to walk in environments with access to nature and substantial amounts of greenery. I found this while exploring a few cities in Costa Rica. The towns were walkable with rainforests, parks and beaches closely integrated to everyday life and the culture, nature was everywhere and easily accessible. Since the environment was ideal for green exercise, I started incorporating morning walks into my schedule. About two to three times a week. This would be a simple 30-minute to an hour walk that allows exploration, taking in the environment, and time to relax the nervous system. When in the mood for something more rigorous, I hike at a local, state, or national park. This fully immerses me in nature, studying plants, spotting animals, playing in rivers, and chilling in small caves.

Swimming Away the Anxiety

Coming from a coastal city, I’m used to living near water. I’ve often felt that water gives the people around it a specific energy; it calms you and makes you feel free. This is why I would often look for apartments with a lake, or at least a pool. I just prefer to live near a body of water, its presence alone has been studied to make humans feel better. Water can also be a significant workout component, offering a fun alternative to the generic workout. Now vacationing blocks from the beach, I swim about two to three times a week. Relaxing in the water, floating for the sky view, and swimming with the fishes is one of the best ways to start my day. While in the water, I feel zero anxiety, as if all worries are washed away. If you live near a safe natural body of water or pool, try swimming more and see what it does for you mentally.

Burning Off Anger with Cardio

Cardio workouts are my go-to, typically in small increments,10–30 minutes throughout the day and weeks. I must admit that I work out through YouTube, and shamelessly follow the routine in the comforts of my home. If you wish to romanticize a YouTube workout, pretend it’s an expensive class you paid for in midtown. Consider adding music to the workout or invite your partner, family, or friends to join. Either way, create a small spot in your home where you can move without bumping into anything. I enjoy working out at home because it doubles as my personal anger management session. There’s something about burning calories, exerting your body, and getting in a good sweat that decreases my moodiness. A legit morning workout routine can improve the mindset, making it easier to deal with any challenges the day can bring.

Finding Gratitude with Yoga

I like to end my cardio workouts with yin or restorative yoga, which will relax me and return my heart rate to its original level. Over the years, yoga has been generalized to fit Western narratives, but it originated from ancient India, with a message to harmonize the mind, body, and spirit. Breath work is at the core of most yoga practices, allowing you to regulate your nervous system. It further balances or clears the mind, depending on your intention. Yin yoga is an excellent exercise if you’ve gotten stuck in a sedentary lifestyle and need something to get you started. For those who like challenges, you can look into more intense yoga practices, such as ashtanga. I unknowingly signed up for Ashtanga yoga and endured a rigorous sequence and an hour-long class. Although difficult, the views made up for it; the yoga center was at the top of a mountain, with an ocean view while you do your downward dog. However this was my hardest yoga lesson and I was opened up to an unforgettable experience. The overall lesson was to increase endurance and then find gratitude in your ability to do so, and as you breathe, you find gratitude in life itself.

Physical Activity: A Major Dimension of Wellness

According to the Bill Hettler model, physical activity is one of the six dimensions of wellness. Understanding that I wanted to take my wellness journey seriously, I knew I needed to get active. But, I didn’t know that increasing my physical activity would be a significant wellness journey cheat. Getting active reduces my negative feelings and emotions, offering healthy coping mechanisms. I am now more motivated to work on other aspects of my life and continue to reach personal milestones.