We normally think of movement in terms of our physical health. Perhaps most people start to think of movement when wanting to lose weight. Rightfully so! Movement is a much-needed adjunct when trying to lose some of those pesky pounds.

However, movement also helps a great deal with mental clarity, concentration, and memory. Have you ever gone for a walk to clear your head? This is you knowing intuitively that movement will help you in that way. Movement is also quite good when you’re “down in the dumps” or a bit depressed. Movement can lift you right out of that downer mood!

Regardless of what your reasons are for wanting to move your body, or at least knowing it would help you if you would (!), this course will increase your awareness and knowledge of the many benefits of movement, for your physical body and for your thoughts, emotions, and subsequent behavioral choices. Hey, it might even help your spirituality! Who knows?!

The physiological benefits of movement are too numerous to list in this course, but we will present a few of the main benefits.

First, let’s get an overview of the health benefits of exercise from Sutter Health (see video).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li8SzgJGQ9g

We now know that exercise or movement is so healthy for our physical bodies in so many ways but are you aware of how much it does for your mental health as well?!

Let’s get a review of physical benefits and get a preview of mental health benefits...

Most of us are aware that moving our bodies is good for us. Some understand how this works more than others. 

Still, others may not understand how critical movement is also for our mental health, especially when we’re trying to improve our health or recover from ill health, be it from substance abuse or any other maladies.

Hence, it is important to educate adults, and especially practitioners in various arenas which irrevocably impact mental health, how critical moving our bodies is and in very specific ways.