Hello friends! Back in January I introduced this year’s series on the ways that movement and exercise can add value to many areas of our lives. I’ve mentioned that I didn’t intend to take a four month break, so while it is strange to have the first post in this series happen in July, here we are. I’d like to kick off this deeper dive talking about Environment Health.
I’ve done series before detailing the different Dimensions of Wellness and I like these discussions because we are more than just our Physical or Mental Health. In short, Dimensions of Wellness models break our wellness into different health segments. Each one can effect and be affected by the others. Environmental Health refers to the areas of our lives that are experienced in particular locations. Home, work or school, worship spaces, community centers, neighborhoods, parks, commuting routes and transportation would all fall under this umbrella. Of course, that is not an extensive list, but you get the idea.
It is critical to acknowledge that there is a somewhat symbiotic relationship between exercise and environment that can often be overlooked. From the standpoint of privilege, many don’t have access to some of the environments where exercise can most easily take place. Gyms, fitness centers, and specialty clubs can be a drain on financial resources. Additionally, access to safe neighborhoods or green spaces for outdoor activities can be challenging for many.
But I am of the school of thought that you don’t need anything, or anywhere in this case, fancy to exercise or move. In fact, for many, exercising at home is actually a huge value add in and of itself. You can wear what you feel comfortable in without fear of bullying or judgement. You can engage in whatever form of movement you like, again, without fear. You can adjust movement patterns, speed, difficulty level. See, already that patch of floor in your living room looks more intriguing, doesn’t it?
Working out at home has another value add. By changing the way we interact with our space, we change the way we see it. This is actually the crux of cognitive behavior therapy. By changing the behavior we are able to have a shift in mindset. It’s wild how much exercising in your space can alter how you use it. Maybe you shift the layout to suit a new workout. Maybe you start to think about different ways to anchor resistance bands or if you have the space to try a bit of yoga.
This same shift can apply to other environments. Choosing to take two 15 minute breaks during the work day to take a quick walk outside or do some simple stretches at your desk relieves stress which may lead to more favorable feelings about your workplace. Movement breaks have been shown to improve focus and problem solving as well, making your job a bit easier to handle.
If a safe outdoor space is accessible to you, exercising outside has huge benefits. We are more likely to engage with our environment when we enjoy it, and I haven’t met a person yet who dislikes a simple walk on a warm spring or fall day. Taking note of scenery we find aesthetically pleasing is a double whammy of endorphins. And much like my previous two examples, this is going to create a nice little feedback loop where you will be more likely to engage in these behaviors in the future.
If you can afford a gym membership, forget about what you think is correct. Pick one day and one time to go, preferably one you can repeat each week. Find a friendly staff member to show you a piece of equipment or new exercise. Or ask someone to work in on their sets. Or say hello to the person next to you in the group class. These behaviors, even when they feel weird, are templates for positive interactions in the environment.
Building these positive interactions with our environments through exercise is where that elusive motivation comes from. Even those of us who legit live this lifestyle have days or seasons that we are just not down with it. But the value add of exercise is that we associate the environments of movement with other positive outcomes. And usually ones that have little to do with Physical Health. That’s what keeps us heading back to our living room yoga mats, the back stairwell in our office building, the group class, wherever.
The environments we often encounter can build us up or can be burdens. I would argue that by exercising in different environments we begin to interact in a positive way and those changes in behavior allow our environments to become places that energize us, calm us, challenge us, and entertain us.
Next month, I want to break down how movement and exercise can add value to our Financial Health Dimension. I’ll see you back in a few weeks to talk about some simple mobility exercises, so until then, be well friends.
