Moving Towards Mental Health

As the program director for a mental health and substance abuse center and a practicing psychotherapist, I work with some incredible people experiencing a diverse range of symptoms and diagnoses. Yet, regardless of diagnosis, there is one thing I prescribe for all of us:

Move.

Grandma Jo always told me about sleep, diet, exercise and being kind to people. Knowing her, she didn’t read science journals or peer-reviewed studies about the significance these actions can have on our lives and overall health. She just knew some good old-fashioned wisdom—wisdom that science has since validated. So, I want to focus on one of those simple, yet overlooked old-fashioned bits of wisdom. A bit of wisdom that, coincidentally, is an important aspect of mental health recovery: movement.

I don’t know the last time I walked my dog without seeing someone jogging or riding a bike (even in winter!) or waited at my local coffee shop without someone in yoga gear behind or in front of me on line. This is all exercise: fantastic, healthy, beneficial, highly recommended in my treatment plans and certainly a form of movement. However, movement doesn’t need to involve vigorous exercise.

Our brains are wired to reward us for actions that help us survive, like a migrating herd of elephants leaving a trail of dust behind them, a kitten pouncing on a toy mouse or a quick stroll around the block with your best friend (mine is a 26-pound, super scruffy schnauzer-poodle rescue). Even Ellen DeGeneres, in her white sneakers, bopping down the aisle of her studio audience gets a dopamine reward for that movement.

I’ll admit: I dance. A lot.

I do it because I understand the neurological benefits and enjoy the feeling. Dopamine is more than the “good feeling” chemical. It’s also helping regulate my mood, sleep, cognition and behavior.

As a therapist, I always like to assign challenges to my clients. Here’s one for you: The next time you’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed, sad, etc., put on an upbeat song, bring your whole attention to the music and lyrics and move (dance, walk, etc.). That’s it.