Move!

During the Sound Minds in Sound Bodies campaign, we are taking five steps to improve and maintain our mental and emotional health.  One of those steps is to MOVE!  We’re not talking marathons or situps (unless that’s your thing).  We’re just talking about getting up and getting going. Yoga, rumba, juggle, jiggle — whatever feels good as long as you’re moving.

Most of us have heard that regular physical activity can lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels and can reduce the risk of illnesses such as type 2 diabetes or heart disease.  What you may not know is how physical activity affects your mental and emotional health.

According to Dr. Daniel Landers, research shows that exercise can reduce anxiety and depression — sometimes significantly. Since diabetes and heart disease are often co-morbidities (conditions that occur with, but are not a cause or result of, the primary diagnosis) of mental illness, the fact that movin’ and groovin’  reduces the likelihood or the severity of all three is pretty cool.

As part of the Sound Minds in Sound Bodies campaign, folks are getting at least 30 minutes a day of physical activity.  To help keep track — and stay motivated – folks are taking part in the President’s Active Lifestyle Challenge.  In addition to providing a tracking system and a points system to keep up all motivated, it provides lots of great information.

What are we doing to stay active?  Walking, running, shoveling snow, bowling, stretching, shoveling snow, vacuuming, skiing, shoveling snow. See how easy it is?  Just 30 minutes a day is all it takes.

What are the results? First, a greater awareness of how easy it is to move more.  One board member shared that, when she wore her cool AMHB and ABADA pedometer while cleaning house, she got nearly half her daily recommended steps.  Second, a greater to attention to how we feel (not just a little sore) after we get our activity.  Proud, happy, empowered, cool — just some of the feelings participants have shared so far.

Sound Minds in Sound Bodies isn’t about weight loss or body building, or trying to reach some socially accepted norm of beauty or health.  It’s about feeling better from the neck up AND from the neck down. 

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