As a GP and health coach working within the United Kingdom, I often frame movement in terms of fitness and physical health. However, movement is so much more than your daily step count, sets of reps or body structure.

It is in my work as a career and growth coach and trainer that I discuss how the body can often lead to and support mental clarity and confidence.

“Movement is a medicine for creating change in a person’s physical, emotional, and mental states.” – Carol Welch

Why This Matters

We are all guilty of spending too much time in our heads. This may involve overthinking, overanalysing and overdoing. Movement often brings us back into our bodies, allowing our minds time to catch up.

Movement may consist of a gentle stretch or a quick walk outdoors. It may also simply involve changing your posture from a seated to a standing position between meetings. What does this do?

Movement can help you in several ways: 

• Emotional regulation: regain control over emotions that have run amok. Allow time to question the negative self-talk.

• Mental clarity: produces a sense of calmness, allowing a better flow of thoughts.

• Increased energy: Time to expend any excess energy you may have, or, on the other hand, produce a new burst of energy.

• Reduced anxiety: producing calmness and relieving any tension

• Renewed confidence: taking a fresh step with a sense of control and vigour.

   

How Movement Creates Mental and Emotional Shifts

1️⃣ Movement Releases Emotion Held in the Body

The feeling of tension, stress, anger, or even grief does not simply live in the mind, but it settles in your shoulders, jaw, chest, and stomach. 

Movement can help release those emotions without needing the right words.

💎  What emotion might my body be holding today—and how can I move to meet it, not fix it?

2️⃣ Movement Increases Mental Clarity

Have you ever noticed that your best ideas often come to you during a walk or while meditating in a relaxation class?

Movement shifts brain chemistry and activates parts of the brain that support creativity and insight. The result is a natural reset button.

 “All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

3️⃣ Movement Builds Confidence Through Presence

Movement, whether through walking, dancing, or even sports, can allow you to engage your body and remind you: 'I am here. I am strong. I can trust myself.'

Each step you take is a reminder of how alive, capable and enough you are. 

💎 How does my posture change when I remember who I am becoming?

4️⃣ Movement Anchors You in the Now

Movement has a role in grounding you in the present. It is anxiety that lives in your future, whereas rumination lives in your past.

Try a mindful walk or dance to your favourite song to help you anchor yourself in the present moment.

5️⃣ Movement Helps You Reconnect with Joy

Remember that movement does not have to consist of exercise. Sometimes, it's about allowing your body to flow and play, just as it did when you were a child.

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” – George Bernard Shaw

 

How to Gently Bring More Movement into Your Life

Here are alternative forms of movement to help you get started.

🚶🏻‍♀️Walk while observing what's around you rather than listening to your playlist

🙆🏻‍♂️ Take a stretch between each task or meeting

🐥 Stand and work using a stand-up desk to encourage more movement 

💃💃 Dance in your kitchen at will

This type of movement feels good and will bring great rewards.

💎 “What kind of movement would feel loving, not forced, today?”

This week, I chose to discuss healing in motion as a way to demonstrate that simple pleasures in life can also be rewarding. So when you feel frustrated, anxious or stuck, take a step away from the usual forms of movement and try something new.

See how movement speaks to you. 💕