The Importance of Both Movement and Exercise For Your Self-Care Routine

When it comes to self-care, there's no one-size-fits-all approach. What works for one person might not work for another. However, there are certain elements of self-care that are essential for everyone. In particular, movement and exercise are two important pillars of a healthy self-care routine.

The Benefits of Movement

Movement is any activity that gets your body up and moving. This can include anything from going for a walk around the block to dancing in your living room. The important thing is that you're active and getting your blood flowing. Movement has a multitude of benefits for both your physical and mental health. For example, regular movement can help to:

  • Reduce stress levels
  • Improve sleep quality
  • Increase energy levels
  • Boost mood
  • Improve heart health
  • And more!

As you can see, movement is a crucial part of self-care. However, it's important to note that not all types of movement are created equal, and some of us may have physical challenges or restrictions to consider in how we are able to move. In order to reap the full benefits of movement, though, it's important to also incorporate a degree of exercise into your self-care routine.

The Benefits of Exercise

Exercise is a type of physical activity that is specifically designed to improve your physical health. Unlike movement, which can be any type of activity, exercise is usually structured and repetitive. For example, popular exercises include running, weightlifting, and yoga. Regular exercise has been shown to:

  • Reduce stress levels
  • Build muscle strength
  • Improve joint function
  • Increase bone density
  • Decrease risk of chronic diseases
  • And more...

Like movement, exercise also offers mental health benefits. In fact, studies have shown that regular exercise can help to improve symptoms of anxiety and depression. So, what's the bottom line? Both movement and exercise are important for your self-care routine. By incorporating both into your routine, you'll be giving yourself the best possible chance to improve your physical and mental health. And that's something we can all benefit from!

Barbara Halcrow

Barbara believes that by offering ourselves more care and self-nourishment we will gain in personal strength and resilience. In this way, we can create swifter, positive changes in our lives, and we can also positively affect the lives of others.

Don’t forget to have your own “recess time” and add play to your day!

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