Did you know that connections in your brain are either growing or dying off, depending on your lifestyle? Celebrity psychologist Dr. Amen says it best: “When you stop learning, your brain starts dying.” While this may sound a bit harsh, studies have proven his hypothesis to be true.
Certainly, an undertaking such as studying a musical instrument or taking an art class promotes new learning and connections in your brain. But did you know that even “little” tasks, like brushing your teeth with your non-dominant hand or taking a new walking route to work, breaks through the monotony and stimulates your brain in a profound way?
Translation: if you aren’t consistently challenging your brain in new ways, you are much more likely to be unhappy.
Being a wellness practitioner, I encourage my clients to try new things often and swap up their routines to promote mental acuity. I’m often asked by my clients, what else can they do to help themselves feel mentally healthier (beyond increasing new stimuli)?
WELL, there is a well-known but little utilized secret to help fight depression and keep our brains healthy. And surprising to some, it doesn’t involve joining fitness classes 3-4 days a week (although that’s not a terrible idea if you have time). It’s much easier that that!
The secret is this: Practice more physical playful movement.
WELL, What is playful movement?
According to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, play is defined as activities “driven by intrinsic motivation and undertaken for [their] own sake, rather than as a means to an end”. In short, I like to think of it as movement without a particular goal- something you can do for “fun”. This can be anything from urban parkour, playing frisbee, rolling in the mud, playing on a swing, or juggling.
The reason such movement is so powerful is much like brushing your teeth with your non-dominant hand: the mind must react to new physical movement and adjust itself accordingly. The pure physical action of juggling causes your mind to disregard other worries and focus solely on the task at hand. This promotion of mind-body connection encourages the brain to make new connections.
Playful movement disconnects the intellectual aspect of brain activity and taps into areas of the brain we often neglect, oftentimes triggering emotional release from pent-up tension. Have you ever seen someone who is depressed walk hunched over with their head down? Oftentimes, someone who is depressed may not even realize they are walking that way. Their poor posture is an accumulation of hundreds of small areas of tension –and, underneath it, trauma– in their body of – so gradual, it is unnoticeable over time. Even if we aren’t aware of it, at times we hold our bodies together in strange ways which cripple our mental and emotional states. Play movement can serve as a cathartic release from these anxieties and allow our bodies to open to our more natural state.
My Personal Experience with Play Movement
I would be remiss if I didn’t provide my own personal experience with play movement that can further encourage you to give it a try.
As you may have gleaned from my previous articles, I tend to be a bit intense. This is no less the case with my physical activity. For around 3 years I was a daily bodybuilder. At first I noticed a huge uptick in endorphins and dopamine, however, after some time I got bored and my “ennui” kicked in. Recognizing this, I incorporated salsa dancing and pole fitness into my workout routine. I maintained a physically active lifestyle even while maintaining my corporate job.
While I saw benefits from my strenuous routine, I was often left feeling fatigued and over worked. In recent years, I have begun to incorporate more movement-based routines into my routine, which includes intentional play movement and breathing, and enjoying moving in nature (hiking or swimming in the ocean). While not as physically strenuous, I view movement as a crucial part of my physical and mental health routine. By being able to stay creative in the way I move my body and avoid feeling stuck like I did when I was weightlifting, I’m able to keep my brain guessing. As such, I’ve noticed that the speed in which I learn new things has improved rapidly and my days are much more time efficient and fulfilling.
Play Movement Misconceptions
If you are intrigued by my explanation to play-movement and want to try it out, here are a few tips to avoid some common pitfalls.
1. Play Movement is NOT the same as working out:
As you can surmise, play movement is as much for your brain as for your body. So sticking to the same workout routine is something to avoid. While physical stress should be a part of a healthy workout routine, this is not the point of play movement. You can worry about your cardio or lifting performance another time. The point of play therapy is just that –“play”. So treat it as such.
2. Play movement is for EVERYONE
We all are gifted with the ability to enhance ourselves. Whether you are a high school student, a new mother, a corporate raider in your fifties, or you just want to enhance the richness of your capabilities, play movement is for you. In life, at every point we are learning. The question is, how much of that can you understand and turn into wisdom toward enhancing yourself?
3. Don’t sweat it, Have FUN
It’s ok to experiment a bit. Don’t be afraid to try something new- that’s the whole point of this exercise. It’s a bit like meditation. If you are trying to hard to achieve “brain flexibility” it won’t happen. Go with the flow and be forgiving of yourself.
WELL, how to get started
I’ve made a short-list of resources to get you started.
This is a great video explanation of how to playfully move: https://youtu.be/OpGc2QSy8D8
This page has a video that explains and shows 6 different ways to play, with text explaining below. I use these play methods in my practice too!
https://empoweredparents.co/movement-activities-for-preschoolers/
Here are some fun activity ideas to try out:
- Fun for floor movement: https://youtu.be/8TyC5ikOZJo
- To incorporate tennis balls into your fitness workout: https://youtu.be/x0ZYXB0-6lo
- A little challenging tennis ball play: https://youtu.be/N9dvdlXVRVI
- More tennis ball fun: https://youtu.be/xDHNyI7BS1E
- Fun hopscotch: https://youtu.be/53a7ZyU-rSY
- Basic Locomotion tutorial: https://youtu.be/yzzZ9cr33rg
Disclaimer: “Views and opinions expressed in this article are the solely that of the author and should not be considered professional medical advice. Any action taken from this advice is strictly at your own risk. We will not be liable for any losses or damages in connection with the use of this information, or any other information posted on this website.”
About the author: Born from a natural desire to constantly enhance life, once Rahul Kalra’s own was well established, he turned outward toward helping others.
He founded Holistic Bodywork Therapy to embody empowerment, in whatever way serves each individual best.
Rahul is available for customized bodywork therapy sessions aimed at improving physical health from chronic pain, weak immunity, poor digestion in addition to enhancing emotional health from PTSD, chronic stress, post breakup-depression and eating disorders.
Email him at: Rahul@holistic-bodywork-therapy.com
Written exclusively for WELL, Magazine Asia by Rahul Kalra.
Thank you for reading this article from WELL, Magazine Asia. #LifeUnfiltered.
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