5 ways to spark joy through movement
Joyful movement refers to moving your body for the sheer enjoyment and exhilaration that activity can bring. It might be cycling fast down a steep hill with the wind in your hair on a summer evening. It may be swimming in a deliciously cool lake on a hot day or climbing up a wall and admiring the view in beginners’ parkour, as you’re cheered on by your classmates.
Joyful movement doesn’t focus on burning calories, chasing a physique or earning your food. It’s about being in your body, in the moment and enjoying the flow and experience.
For many people, this may not deeply resonate. Instead, movement has become a painful ‘should’ which must be endured as a punishment for eating. Understandably, these individuals will then oscillate between periods of intensive exercise (which is often unsustainable) and going cold turkey for weeks on end, as the mere thought of entering the gym brings feelings of intense dread.
5 ways to embrace joyful movement
1. Micro-moments
Movement doesn’t have to be an enduring or painful, lengthy marathon. Instead, build in the micro-moments. Maybe a 15-minute walk in nature mid-afternoon between work calls is a realistic and achievable goal? Not only will you get to limber up your stiff legs and (hopefully!) enjoy a dose of sunshine, but you'll also gain mental clarity to ease you into the final hours of the day.
2. A love
Find an activity that you genuinely love and that sparks joy for you. Whether it's dancing with others in a noisy nightclub or peacefully alone in your kitchen, with only your cat for company. Dusting off your old roller skates and taking your children to the local rink or maybe pole dancing is something you’d like to try. It doesn’t matter what it is. It’s about connecting with an activity that ignites happiness within you and is genuinely fun. If you struggle to know what to do, think back to your movement loves as a child for inspiration.
3. Mental health
Embrace the mental health benefits of movement. You’re likely to experience better sleep and a significant boost in mood. You’ll have improved mental clarity and energy. The ripple effect can supercharge your day.
4. No need to count
You don’t need to count or measure your progress obsessively. Rather, you may set yourself mini challenges as you stretch out of your comfort zone. Perhaps it’s trying a new route on the climbing wall or simply taking a different path through the woods to soak up the bluebell carpet stretched before you. Focus on how you feel within rather than evaluating yourself by external numbers.
5. Make it social
If you’re anxious about venturing into new movement territories, take a friend with you. Not only will this be a chance to connect in the journey of new pursuits, but you’ll also have someone to share in the experience and build an emotional connection in the process. What’s not to love?
Take a step today to embrace joyful movement. It’s never too late to start and a baby step forward could be the first of a new adventure.
If this feels unreachable for you right now and you’re struggling with your relationship with food and exercise, you might want to reach out and get some support through counselling.