The Impact of Exercise on Mental Health
Physical activity has numerous benefits for your overall health. Erica Hornthal, a board-certified dance/movement therapist and licensed clinical professional counselor, emphasizes the significant relationship between movement and mental well-being. She highlights the importance of how you move rather than just if you move, which influences whether this connection is positive or negative. Her book, Body Aware, draws insights from her clients’ experiences during the pandemic and her extensive work as a dance/movement therapist.
Hornthal points out that a significant portion of our communication is nonverbal. When dealing with mental health, conventional approaches often rely on verbal communication alone to address deep-seated emotional issues. Dance/movement therapy, however, leverages movement to access the core reasons behind our emotions.
Understanding the Mind-Body Connection
Hornthal stresses the importance of acknowledging the deep-rooted connection between our physical movements and mental well-being. Traditional mental health interventions may focus solely on talk therapy or altering thought patterns, neglecting this connection.
Hornthal promotes a “bottom-up” approach to mental health, emphasizing the impact of our body’s responses on our thoughts and behaviors. By recognizing how our bodies react in different situations, we can challenge and transform negative thought patterns.
Exercise and Self-Awareness
The mind-body connection remains active during exercise. Hornthal illustrates how movement affects our emotional state, highlighting that increasing movement doesn’t always result in positive outcomes. For instance, excessive running may perpetuate a constant need to stay busy rather than addressing underlying issues.
Hornthal advises approaching exercise mindfully and diversifying movement practices to avoid negative impacts on mental health. She recommends evaluating your emotional state before and after workouts to ensure exercise leaves you feeling emotionally rejuvenated.
Building Emotional Resilience through Movement
Hornthal suggests that varying your physical activities can enhance emotional resilience, akin to strengthening your body through exercise. By expanding your “movement vocabulary,” you can better adapt to unexpected challenges.
She encourages incorporating playful movements into daily routines to revive the joy of movement often lost in adulthood. Embracing a diverse range of movements and infusing playfulness can enrich your emotional well-being and offer a sense of freedom and resilience.
