Your Daily Brush: Movement is Medicine!
Medicine does not always come in a bottle. It can also be in the form of movement and exercise that benefits your body and your mood.
When you hear the word “medicine” what comes to mind?
Perhaps pharmacies and pharmaceuticals? Tablets or syrup?
What if I told you there is yet another kind of medicine that costs you nothing and is always on hand? I’m talking about physical movement.
By now you must have heard about the benefits of exercise and movement for your body. But did you know that movement is also good for your mind?
Researchers have found that exercise can be as effective as some anti-depressant medications. Researchers have also found that walking 10,000 steps a day can help reduce anxiety.
Every time you move, you are taking steps (no pun intended :-)) to promote your emotional health; and in turn this promotes your resilience.
Movement does not have to be complicated. It can be as simple as walking around your block. Or pacing in your room or going up and down stairs in your home. You can dance. You can go for a bike ride. You can swim.
The possibilities are as endless as your imagination, although I am not sure if sprinting from your living room to the kitchen to get snacks counts as exercise.
If you are not sure what to do and need help getting started, you can try listening to some upbeat music for MM (Movement Motivation.)
Any time is a good time to dance and move. As long as you move in accordance with what your body can tolerate, and don’t over do it like the stereotype of the Weekend Warrior, chances are that you won’t overdose on this medicine either.
Rx: Remember when you are moving your body, you are also brushing your mind. What is your favorite way to move?
To your health!
