Joyful Movement - What Is It & Why Should You Do It

Joyful Movement & Why Should You Do It?

Are you someone who fears exercise? Or perhaps you think the sole purpose of exercise is for weight loss and body sculpting? 

Exercise and movement have become framed within our lives as having a specific function; to lose weight, tone up, sculpt and shape our bodies or even as a penance for making bad food choices. We associate exercise with burpees, planks and pushups and someone grunting at you, telling you to “push a little harder” and “just keep going”.

This combined with being surrounded by diet culture makes it difficult to appreciate movement for movement’s sake. These previous exercise experiences have created associations in the brain with feelings of failure and not being good enough, but we want to change this for you.

We want to introduce you to the concept of Joyful Movement. Joyful movement is exercise reimagined, so that it’s not a chore or a necessity, but instead something that is fun and brings you joy! We want you to find movement that you like, so that you embrace it and naturally want to increase its frequency and intensity.

Ultimately, joyful movement is about pleasure over pain.

It’s about creating joy and happiness from the fresh air, from the connection to the music, getting sensory input from our joints and muscles that regulates, bathing in the post movement endorphins, feeling alive as we become aware of our heartbeat and even to savour to the social connection it brings.

Whether it be rediscovering or reimagine your idea of joyful movement, we want to support you on your journey. Before you get started it’s important to reflect and plan to start your journey with your best foot forward!  

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Forgiveness

Before you embark on your Joyful Movement journey you may need to have some self-compassion and forgive yourself for not doing as much movement as you may have liked over the past few months or doing it because you must and not because you enjoy it! 

Remember, sometimes rediscovering joyful movement means taking a break for a while, and that’s ok! Taking a break can bring clarity and reframe your thoughts and mindset.

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Embrace your inner child

Think about what types of movement you liked as a child. Group sports, and things like roller skating, dance, trampolining and cycling. Remember you want to move for enjoyment so embrace these more child-like and playful kinds of physical activity!

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Gentle Movement 

Exercise and intense movement are often valued greater than gentle movement, due to the increased physical benefits that result. Despite this, gentle movement offers a host of benefits to both your body and mind and should be valued. 

Everyday Movement 

Just like with gentle movement, you don’t have to be in a gym to get your body moving! There are ways you can incorporate movement into your everyday life. Gardening, walking the dog, taking stairs at work, cleaning, and playing with your kids are all ways to incorporate movement in a setting that isn’t a gym.

Be Flexible

Let’s say you hope to fit in 30 minutes of activity into a day.  You can always complete this amount of joyful movement in increments – versus completing it all at once.  If you want to fit 30 minutes of activity into a day – but don’t reach that amount – don’t beat yourself up. Honour your well-being by resting your body.  

Remember …“and that’s ok”  

If you didn’t get it in today, or plans changes ‘that’s ok’! Here’s the thing, joyful movement should not feel like a bother.  If your heart isn’t in it, take a break and get back to joyful movement when the time feels right.  Again, you’re more likely to move your body more regularly when you enjoy it! 

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Benefits of Joyful Movement

Mental Health

Joyful movement has been shown to improve mental health by reducing anxiety and improving self-esteem and cognitive function. Exercise has also been found to alleviate symptoms such as low self-esteem. 

Not only that, but regular movement will help you sleep, relax and feel better. It helps reduce stress and boosts your energy levels. These benefits are triggered by a chemical change in the brain i.e., a release endorphins. Joyful movement therefore plays a role in boosting your mood! 

Social Connections 

Fostering social connections and relationships can often be just as important to our health as physical activity and diet. Joyful movement can not only be a good way to meet people and get more involved in your community i.e., through team sports and activities, but it can also help increased confidence, peer acceptance, leadership skills, and empathy. 

Sleep 

Do you struggle with falling asleep or having a restless sleep? Research has shown that people who participate in joyful movement regularly have deeper sleep. This is important as sleep is essential for good overall physical, mental, emotional & social health. 

A lack of sleep can cause:

• Fatigue 
• Anxiety 
• Increased risk of diabetes – through reduced insulin release. 
• Weakened Immunity 
• High Blood Pressure 

Digestive Health 

Joyful movement has also been linked to improved digestive health. It not only affects the balance of mico-organisms in our gut, but overtime can strengthen the muscles in your digestive system. Good digestive and gut health is essential for health.

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