Movement as a Stress Reliever
With winter on the horizon, many are getting ready for longer days spent at home. As snow begins to fall and roads begin to ice, our homes become our sanctuary. But the more hours spent cooped up in the house, the more antsy we get for some movement. While it is easier and more comfortable to retreat to the couch on those chilly days, it can get quite repetitive and contribute to the angst of being housebound. Getting out of those hibernation spots and moving around the house can help shed the tension from feeling closed in.
This type of movement is often categorized as “holistic” movement, meaning it is physical activity that focuses on mental and spiritual well-being as the end result of the movement (National Library of Medicine). Taking a holistic approach is often less strict than other workout or physical activity methods, as the end goal is just feeling good in your mind and body; For example, jumping on an indoor mini trampoline for a few minutes. This type of movement can be especially beneficial in the winter when we have less spaces to move around and potentially more stress due to seasonal affective disorder, demands of the holidays, and isolation. Some common forms of holistic movement include:
Dance:
Putting on your favorite tunes and moving around to the music is a great way to let loose. Especially in the comfort of our own homes, we can dance like no one’s watching.
Yoga/General Stretching:
Yoga or just stretching in general is a great way to get movement while relieving stress in both the mind and body. Stretching allows you to target certain areas of your body while keeping the mind in check with intentional breathing and thinking practices.
Tai Chi:
Tai Chi can be described as flowing natural movement. This is often a much slower and meditative form of movement. Tai Chi is especially great for winding down as it calms the body and mind.
As described, holistic movement has less structure and rules which enables more relieving practices. While the movement aspect is a large component, remember the end goal is just feeling good. If you move with the intention to feel better⸺ meaning you move in a way that benefits you without any pressure to perform well⸺ you will get better results.