AOK Today #13 - Get moving

AOK Today: Put time aside to move your body today!

"Your muscles are an amazing pharmacy that are manufacturing and storing chemicals that have profound effects on your physical and mental health," Exercise is "an intravenous dose of hope" - Kelly McGonigal

How It Works: I'm going to focus on the mental health benefits of movement, because the physical health benefits of movement and exercise are well known (increases in aerobic fitness, mobility, muscle strength, flexibility, immune system boost, lowers blood pressure, lowers risk of cardiovascular - the list goes on)! What is less known, is that during movement (when our muscles contract), myokines are released into the bloodstream, travel up through the blood brain barrier, and create immediate anti-anxiety effects (suppress fear, stress, and worry), as well as increases in mood and motivation, and enhance learning. It is all forms of exercise, because all exercise engage muscles. Your muscles do not give these myokines up unless you are using them - it's like moving your muscles is a way of saying you're engaged with life, and our muscles provide us with chemicals to protect that life. If your brain is regularly exposed to these chemicals through movement, it changes in structure and function in ways that make you more resilient to stress, depression and grief. Researchers have called these "hope molecules" as they prevented trauma-induced depression. If that's not enough, during exercise and after exercise you are in a better brain state to socially connect with others. It's helpful to choose a form of movement you personally genuinely enjoy - lift something heavy, push something, dance, walk, garden, as long as you are using your body.

Cost: F.R.E.E - hop on youtube, take a walk outside, join a movement club.

Why I love it: Just yesterday I used this strategy - I had a difficult phone call to make, so I scheduled it in post pilates - I was in a good mood, handled the conversation better, and felt accomplished. It took me over a decade to find a form of movement that brought me joy and meaning. Gym's were everywhere, but they weren't for me, and I found a form of exercise that I enjoy in a community which my values align with. "When you move your muscles, you are giving yourself medicine and it is medicine you can't access any other way." - Kelly McGonigal

Happy Giving |XOX|