Finding JOY in movement
What brings you joy?
What are the people. places. activities, and other elements in your life that truly bring you joy?
These are some of my answers to that question…
Matteo = JOY! Being outside = JOY!
I strongly encourage you to explore the answers to those questions for yourself. Write them down in your journal or on a piece of paper. Recognizing the things that bring you joy is an integral part of taking care of your body throughout your lifetime. Let me explain:
More often than not, we are intrinsically motivated to do the things we already know we like doing - the things that bring us joy. When barriers arise, for example time crunches, fatigue, work or life stressors, etc., we tend to continue to prioritize those activities. Thus, we do them consistently on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Consistency is the ultimate key to lasting change, especially when it comes to health behaviors. You probably have heard that before… and it’s true. Being consistent with the behaviors that enable you to take care of your body such as giving your body adequate nutrients, rest, and movement, fostering healthy relationships (including the one with yourself), building community, etc. sets you up to thrive physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, all the things.
When it comes to moving your body, it might not be a joyful experience for you (yet). That’s okay. There are a lot of reasons why movement could feel like a burden to you and maybe even a bit triggering. Movement and exercise might have been used as punishment. You might have experienced shame about your body or how you move your body. Your only experiences with movement and exercise might have been to lose weight or change your body aesthetically. You might have limited mobility or chronic pain. You might be struggling with how you feel in and about your body on a regular basis. There are lots of reasons why movement might not bring you joy, but that doesn’t mean it will always be that way.
I was a two sport athlete through all four years of college. For a good portion of my life, movement and exercise felt more like a job. I felt obligated to get in my workouts and training despite how my body was feeling that day. I pushed through pain and injury more often than not. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy playing sports. I love playing sports to this day. My relationship with exercise, however, was based mainly on performance and didn’t take into consideration the care my body actually needed. Fast forward to grad school when I was struggling with an eating disorder and my relationship with my body. Exercise shifted from an obligation to a means to control how my body looked. None of this sparked joy.
How, then, can you start changing your perception of movement and exercise? How, then, can you begin to find joy in movement again or for the first time?
PLAY! Movement is play. Movement is community. Movement is exploration of your surroundings. Movement is exploration of your body. Movement is new and fun experiences. Even the shift from “I’m going to exercise” to “I’m going to play” can make a huge difference in how you perceive moving your body. It might sound silly and childish, but don’t knock it until you try it. Go out and play.
Pair movement with something that you already know brings you joy. See how both your perception of movement and consistency with movement improves. Schedule your daily walk as you chat with a friend or listen to a podcast, for example. Make a playlist full of songs that you love, and listen to it while you workout. Take a class with a friend. Explore a new city on foot. Join a recreational sports league. Have regular dance parties or go out dancing… with friends, family, or your pet if you really want to do it right.
Set small, manageable goals around movement. A good reference point is something that feels like a 7 out of 10 in terms of your confidence in making it happen during the next week (0 = it’s never going to happen; 10 = it happens already). It feels great and can be fun to accomplish your goals.
Move as a way to care for your body as opposed to change your body. Which feels more loving: “I want to change my body” or “I want to care for my body”? You and your body deserve care, support, love on a daily basis.
Cultivate joy in your day to day experiences, especially when it comes to moving your body. Your whole self will thank you.
