The Power of Mindful Movement
Today’s world moves at a fast pace. With many distractions and stress from trying to meet expectations, deadlines, and goals in multiple areas of a person’s life, finding solace in a mindful movement practice can aid mental well-being and addiction recovery. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits:
Stress Reduction: Stress, by definition is “a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances.” (Def. from Oxford Language). Our stress can be triggered by many things in our life, whether it be relationships, employment, managing specific tasks, etc. When stress develops our bodies and mental state change. There is a rise in cortisol, the heart-rate increases, blood pressure rises, which can furthermore lead to problems such as digestive issues, headaches and tense muscles if we continue in this state for long periods of time. And these concerns, if not addressed, can further lead to long-term health (including mental health) issues. Mindful movement allows the body to activate the parasympathetic nervous system to counteract some of the stress hormone cortisol. While in the mindful movement practice the brain and body have to opportunity to reunite and the individual develops deeper awareness of their body and emotions. Stretching and paired breathwork release tension and offer sensations that move someone deeper into a relaxed state.
Emotional Regulation: Mindful movement offers individuals an opportunity to practice observing their thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in an individual’s thought. It does take practice though! There has to be a willingness to adopt mindful movement practice in order to allow this non-reactive stance to develop so that emotional resilience and self-regulation can empower an individual to work through the challenges that are faced in their life. At times movement can unlock and release tension, but also the emotions that are deeply connected to that tension. While some individuals are challenged with the idea of sitting completely still, the movement aspect of this practice allows the person to be in control and make choices on allowing their body to move in ways that feel safe and nurturing. The movement offers concentration and practice of exploring sensations without judgement, as well as grabbing one’s attention to focus on the present moment. Through practices of mindful movement, the person also learns how to respond to this awareness with compassion rather than reacting with impulsively. It becomes a valuable tool at this point to manage any urges, cravings, and triggers that come along with mental health and addiction.
Building a Relationship with Yourself: Mindful movement provides an opportunity, like mentioned before, for the body and mind to build connectivity. With deeper awareness as a whole person and guidance with self-compassion, this practice offers an individual to develop a healthier relationship with themselves. Kindness and compassion are important stances in healing from mental health issues, including addiction. Negative emotions may be released to offer an individual some space to include other emotions in their day. Movement has it’s own challenges in the moment and offers practice to navigate through a particular yoga pose, for example, and the individual can meet the challenge with self-compassion and kindness. Feeling better about adopting this practice vs. engaging in destructive or harmful behavior towards the self, allows individuals to develop trust within themselves, feeling proud that they were able to cope better, and begin the healing process from harshness towards the self.
Gratitude/Acceptance: Mindful movement encourages the person who practices to spend time appreciating the moment and themselves for engaging in the practice. While letting go of judgement, comparison, and accepting what the body and mind have to offer in the present moment, the individual can develop appreciation and an attitude of being open to an experience that may not feel perfect. A daily practice of gratitude can lead to greater fulfillment in daily living. Developing an acceptance of things that cannot be changed, but being able to control in-the-moment movement offers hope and understanding of choices being made right now that can also be a useful tool in recovery.
Community and Support: Mental health issues and addiction can feel like a lonely and scary place for many. Feeling different or alone in one’s journey can lead to relapse and on-going suffering with mental illness. When being included or welcomed to a mindful movement practice, it offers an individual the sense of belonging and being a part of something that is preparing them for change (which change in itself can be scary). Having the understanding that there are people out there that welcome an individual to lean on their mindful movement practice, pose beside you, encourage you, send positive messages to you, and accept you for showing up and exploring. Working through nervousness, embarrassment, shame, guilt, and all those feelings that keep someone isolated, is worked on in the moment of mindful movement too. With practice of coping through these moments a person can develop more tools to overcome such feelings and perhaps even get more comfortable in social settings.
The list can go on, but these are just a few reasons why Sahas Counseling, PLLC loves to offer such a meaningful practice while engaging in therapy. It is interesting to see the world evolving into such a fast-pace time, where we forget to take meaningful breaks to check in and discover how we are doing and to not become harshly reactive with what we discover in the moment.
