Let’s Move
Hello friend! Do you remember First Lady Michelle Obama starting a national campaign on exercise called “Let’s Move” during Barak Obama’s years as President of the United States? If not, you’re probably a lot younger than me or weren’t tuned in to the news. I think that was a great, innovative idea for a first lady, don’t you? She was concerned about the high obesity rate among children, accompanied by high blood pressure and Type 2 Diabetes.
People talk a lot about the benefits of healthy nutrition and exercise, and it’s a fact; they are important for a healthy body. I personally hate to hear that I need to improve my diet, and exercise more. It makes me feel obligated to schedule in exercise regularly. The word “diet” makes me feel like I must starve myself, eat no sweets, and lose weight. I know that’s not really true though, and some weight loss programs are truly helpful.
I want to talk about exercise today, but I like to think of it in terms of physical movement.
My psychiatric nurse practitioner introduced me to the concept of “brain affects body and body affects brain.” I encourage you to explore what this means to you.
How does the body affect the brain and the brain affect the body? I’m just scratching the surface here. For one thing, Yaklin says that rhythmic motion helps one’s mood. That includes walking or biking, running, swimming, dancing, or, as she says, even patting the tops of one’s thighs with both hands to a regular beat.
I’ve discovered something revolutionary for me. I bought an inexpensive stationary bike so I could add extra physical movement to my lifestyle. When I cycle on my indoor stationary bike, it helps me switch gears (such a bad pun!) from sitting in the easy chair in my living room and ruminating, to getting up and going to another room and moving my body.
Sometimes I turn music on while I’m cycling. Many times, this has done wonders for my anxious thoughts.
But what if you don’t have a stationary bike or other exercise equipment at home? You can dance. You may not feel like dancing, especially if you are depressed, but every once in a while, I do, and the movement of my arms and legs in a free, rhythmic motion to my favorite sixties music or fast-moving Christian music with a beat, feels great! I can tell a difference in my attitude.
As you know, walking is something most anyone can do. Whether it’s a morning walk, a mid-day walk, or evening walk, the movement is therapeutic. If you live in a neighborhood where walking isn’t conducive, try going to a park, a gym, or a mall, or a safe part of the city.
A brisk walk or run produces endorphins in the brain, which can elevate mood. I’m not saying that the movement makes one’s depression evaporate. When I was deeply depressed during my late forties, I often walked for exercise down a shady road in my neighborhood, and my painful thoughts did not go away. It was a huge effort to get out and walk. Even so, it was good for my body and got me out of the house into the world of nature.
In Joanna Gaines’ magazine, Magnolia Journal, I read a true story about a woman over fifty who committed herself to walking outdoors every day for one year. She didn’t feel like getting out to walk in the cold, snow, or rain, but she said that that once she did, she never once regretted going.
Since I’m a fair-weather-walker, she inspired me to take more risks to venture out even if I don’t want to take that first step, and I, too, am always glad when I do! Now that I have a dog, that forces me to get out and walk. Honestly though, I’m still mostly a fair-weather-walker. My family can tell you that.
Exercise may not change a diagnosis of anxiety or depression, but it may help your frame of mind, and studies have proven that it does. The brain is well researched but mysterious, and your brain and body and my brain and body react differently to different types of exercise. For me, it often temporarily lifts my mood or gives me a sense of calm, and dancing puts a smile on my face. And an added bonus is a stronger, healthier me.
- Marilyn