3 ways movement can help us become more resilient
Vanessa Michielon 
Why training is a powerful way to manage stress and go through life challenges
No, this is not an easy time for many of us.
More than ever, developing tools that help us manage stress in a healthy way is essential to make sure we navigate through the storm without long-term negative effects.
Resilience is exactly this ability to bounce back after difficult, even traumatic experiences, and still have enough resources to pursue our goals.
Why is movement so powerful to cope with distress and to cultivate long-lasting wellbeing?
The reasons are many and today I want to share with you some of the most exciting discoveries from Neuroscience, and Yoga and Sports research (plus a couple of tips you can explore in your next practice).
1) One of the ways movement practiced mindfully can help us become more resilient is by offering us tools for Self-regulation, our capacity to be grounded, centred, connected to our breath and in the moment even in difficult circumstances.
Simply said, when we self-regulate we tolerate discomfort better.
For instance, we can literally quieten our mind and reduce the symptoms of stress by breathing and moving in specific ways.
This is the focus of my Pure Restore online programme, where you can learn techniques from Yoga Therapy for Anxiety and Yoga Psychology in 12 full sessions including guided relaxations and deep stretches.
2) By practicing regularly, we internalise the idea that things can change (may be slowly but they can!)
We get used to notice that pain and discomfort are transitory, and that things that felt out of reach at first, are actually possible.
Also, discharging tension from the body and exploring new ways of being helps us get unstuck, both emotionally and creatively. Especially when we have a varied movement routine and we learn how to do things in different ways, our brain is stimulated to find solutions and to see opportunities for growth (instead of just dangerous challenges).
3) Developing strength, feeling our bodily sensations and mastering movements gives us a sense of agency. And this happens at the level of our cells!
When we workout, our muscles produce proteins, the myokines, that affect our whole body: some of them are key in the health of our brain and in preventing depression.
“One of the first scientific papers to write about exercise induced myokines labeled them hope molecules. Ultra-endurance athletes talk about the metaphor of putting one foot in front of the other - how learning that you can take one more step, even when it feels like you can’t possibly keep going, builds confidence and courage. The existence of hope molecules reveals that this is not merely a metaphor. Hope can begin in your muscles. Every time you take a single step, you contract over two hundred myokine-releasing muscles. The very same muscles that propel your body forward also send proteins to your brain that stimulate the neurochemistry of resilience”. (K. McGonigal)
So, next time you find yourself losing momentum in your training, think about these wonderful "hope molecules" literally flooding your body and helping you improve your mood!
Categories: resilience, stress