Movement Is Medicine…But What Does That Really Mean?
“Movement is medicine.”
We say it often. But what do we actually mean?
Care is not one size fits all. We see that clearly through our unique perspectives, wiring, abilities, likes and dislikes, circumstances, and seasons of life. What supports one person may look completely different for another.
But even though care is not one-size-fits-all, there are accessible tools we can use to support our minds, bodies, and relationships. Movement is one of them.
When we say “movement is medicine,” we don’t mean that movement is a cure-all or a replacement for medical or mental health care. We mean that movement can be one meaningful tool in our toolbox for supporting both mental and physical wellbeing.
That’s why, even in the counseling room, we might ask questions like:
How are you eating?
How are you sleeping?
How are you moving?
Because mental health does not exist separately from physical health. What is happening in our bodies can affect how we think and feel, just as what we are experiencing mentally and emotionally can show up physically.
This is where we see the beauty of counseling, nutrition, and fitness working together. Rather than treating each as a separate part, we can begin looking at the whole person and how each area supports the others.
Think about how naturally our emotions already influence the way we move. When you feel sad, you may move more slowly. When you’re excited, you may have more energy and move more quickly.
But that connection can work in the other direction, too.
The way we move our bodies can influence how we feel. And that is where the idea of “movement is medicine” really begins to take shape.
What can that look like?
There is no single “right” way to move. Different types of movement can support the mind and body in different ways.
Yoga consists of changing postures, intentional deep breathing, and moving in rhythm, all of which can help strengthen your connection to your body. Yoga may support nervous system regulation, influence our respiratory rate, and decrease cortisol production.
It can also help connect the brain and body through increased production of GABA, a neurotransmitter involved in calming nervous system activity; activation of the insula, the part of the brain that helps us recognize and interpret what we’re feeling in our bodies; and increased neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to adapt and form new connections.
Strength and resistance training increase your capacity to handle stress, teaching your body that it is resilient. When you use your muscles, they release chemicals and proteins into your bloodstream that communicate with your brain, helping regulate stress and supporting mood through processes involving serotonin and dopamine.
Walking is a simple and effective way to support our mental and physical health. A walk gives you an opportunity to move your body, step away from whatever is in front of you, and create space for your mind to reset. Walking also supports the vagus nerve, which helps regulate heart rate and encourages the body to shift into a calmer, more regulated state.
None of these are magic fixes. And they will not look the same for everyone.
There is no doubt that it can be harder to move when you feel depressed, anxious, overwhelmed, or simply low on energy. But as you begin to build a rhythm that fits you, your abilities, and the season of life you’re in, movement can become a meaningful way to support your wellbeing and engage more fully with life.
So when we say “movement is medicine,” we mean that movement is a tool and a resource. It can help us regulate, support our mood, and strengthen the connection between mind and body.
It isn’t the whole picture of health, but it can be a meaningful part of it. At Anchored Mind, we believe our mental health, physical health, and relationships are deeply connected, and caring for the whole person means paying attention to how each one supports the others.
