Body-mindedness

What exactly is it? In a nutshell, body mindedness it is the need to take the mind out of the head and put it back in the body, or in other words – the mind/body connection.

Imagine one of those days when you just feel overwhelmed. The worries or to-do list is piling up and your mind just keep replaying increasingly worse scenarios. However, you are heading to an exercise class that evening and you make yourself go. After ten minutes of trying to copy what the instructor is doing you realise those worries have started to ease, and by the end of the class your perspective has completely shifted. This was you taking your mind out of your head and placing it into your body. You just needed some movement to help you do it.

Once you leave the class and allow your mind to come back into your head, you notice you are thinking in a clearer more rational way. All those worries you did have now feel more manageable as your ability to problem solve has increased.

The great news is that the exercise doesn’t need to be in a class setting or even high intensity. Simply going out for a fast walk will create the same benefits. The most important part is that you are moving. When we choose to move rather than sitting and thinking of the same scenario, we are physically and mentally propelling ourselves forward. We are moving towards a solution and as an added benefit we are strengthening our bodies.

It may sound obvious but the stronger we become in our bodies the stronger we will feel in our minds. Strength doesn’t just come from lifting weights in a gym. Using our body weight through activities such as walking will create this strength within the body.

For a final added boost, listen to some music at the same time. Following the beat of the music to our movements gives us a mood boosting hit of dopamine. This increases those feelings of wellbeing and even leave you wanting more.

So what are you waiting for? Get moving!