In the past, the Western world has conceptualised our minds and our bodies as separate entities. Two discrete elements which are independent from one-another. In psychology this has led to a big focus on cognition, or the ways in which we think.
Whilst our thought processes are clearly very important, and can have a huge impact on our mood and behaviour, we now know, of course, that our minds and our bodies are one-and-the same; and by extension, our physical health is an important part of our mental health.
Research has now shown that physical movement can lead to significant changes in the ways that our brains function and even their physical structure, leading to long term changes in important areas such as the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. In describing the effects of exercise on our brains, Dr Wendy Suzuki, a Professor of Neural Science and Psychology at New York University, refers to the surge in endorphins, neurochemicals, and neurotransmitters that occurs when we get our bodies moving as like a beneficial “bubble bath” for our brains, improving our ability to focus, learn, create new memories, and even improve our capacity to be creative.
So, if you’re looking for a simple, actionable tool to help improve your mental health you may like to start by getting your body moving in a way that suits you and your lifestyle. From resistance training or having a stretch, to dancing or martial arts, or from swimming to taking the dog for a walk around the block; choose something that works for you as an individual. Small changes to our levels of physical activity can lead to big changes to our brains, and how we feel, think, and approach life.
