The Joy of Movement

This afternoon, I finished my eighth audiobook and tenth book overall for 2020, sooo my goal of 12 books this year is looking pretty doable! =)  I really enjoyed this one: The Joy of Movement by Kelly McGonigal.

She details the various benefits of physical movement, a very long list including:

• The "persistence high" we get through any prolonged physical exertion
• The antidepressant effects of endorphins and endocannabinoids (chemicals our bodies produce when we exercise)
• The social confidence and sense of community that comes with group exercise
• The ability to "get hooked" on exercise - forming habits that produce cravings for movement and the positive rewards it produces.
• That regular physical activity expands the brain's reward system (making us more engaged and sensitive to all the joys in life) rather than impairing/numbing it the way destructive addictions do.
• The pure collective joy found in activities where we synchronize and move in unison with others (line dancing, yoga, zumba, etc.).
• The way music with motivating lyrics has a strong, positive effect on our ability to endure and literally keep moving when it gets tough
• The way persistence in physical exercise increases our resilience and belief in ourselves in every area of life, making us feel powerful and strong and capable of overcoming obstacles in our path!
• How getting outside and working out in nature helps us to embrace life, clear our minds, and connect more deeply with God, ourselves, and others.

A few quotes that I relate to and feel inspired by:

"I am not a morning person, but I have learned to drag myself out from under the covers and exercise before I do anything else.  For me, it's a survival strategy.  I want to face the day as the version of myself who takes over by the time I'm done with my workout: braver, more optimistic, and ready to face whatever challenges await me!"

"His longstanding go-it-alone, do-it-yourself approach to life has been one of the triggers for his depression.  He describes the mindset as the sense of being alone, being responsible for living up to 100% of my potential in every aspect, being the best I can be, and I have to do it all myself.  Having his coach run alongside him and not feeling like this was a crutch was a revelation.  He told me, 'I was coming to appreciate that I was still doing it myself, but I had a friend there that I was sharing it with, and that didn't mean I was incapable!'"

*In the last chapter, she wrote about this Olympic moment from 1992, and even listening to the story without the video made me cry...

"When movement brings out the best in us, it does so by making us happy - not only through short-lived feelings of pleasure or pride, but also in the deepest sense of the word - the happiness that comes from having a sense of purpose and belonging, the happiness of feeling connected to something bigger than yourself, the happiness that is best described as hope." ❤

"If you're looking for a guideline, it's this: MOVE! Any kind, any amount, in any way that makes you happy.  Move whatever parts of your body still move, with gratitude.  Move by yourself and in community.  Move in your home.  Move outdoors.  Move to music or in silence.  Set goals that are personally meaningful.  Take baby steps, then conquer a big stretch.  Seek out new experiences and explore new identities.  Pay attention to how activities make you feel and how they change you.  Listen to your body; give yourself permission to do what feels good.  Revel in metaphor and meaning.  Look for places, people, and communities that inspire you and make you feel welcomed!  Keep following the thread of joy as long as you can." ❤

And now I'm off to a holy yoga class that I signed up for while reading the "Collective Joy" chapter!