Work Out Wisdom, courtesy of Elle Woods and another awesome blonde
by Jessi Schlachter, LPC-MHSP
“I just don't think that Brooke could've done this. Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands, they just don't!” –Elle Woods in Legally Blonde
This is one of my favorite quotes in one of my favorite movies. When I first saw this movie, way back in 2001, I didn’t think very hard about it. But it turns out that Elle was really onto something.
If you know me or see me for counseling then you know how important movement is to me and how often I suggest (some might say demand ;) ) it to clients as a strategy to relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety. Consistent exercise can be tough to maintain for even the happiest of people, add in feelings of depression and anxiety and it can feel like an impossible feat. What I see most often as one of the biggest barriers between people and exercise is the underestimation of just how effective it is in boosting overall wellbeing and how little you actually need to feel a difference.
A lot of studies have been done on how powerful exercise is in reducing feelings of depression and anxiety. When you look closely at many of these studies you will see that often the group that is the “exercise group” is…wait for it…walking.
Yes, walking!
It truly can be as easy as taking a stroll outside. If you can add in the occasional higher-intensity workout, great. But in the moments of lowest of lows if you can only get yourself outside for a few minutes of walking, it truly is still an effective way to help yourself feel better.
Through exercise, you prove to yourself that you are doing something to help yourself. I know that often many of the coping skills and tools that are learned in a therapy setting can feel vague and hard to measure. But exercise is great in that way, because either you did, or you didn’t. It is those little victories that can really add up when you are in the depths of anxiety or depression. It really allows you to take ownership of your healing and of your life.
Exercise is also a great way to process things that are happening in your life. Sometimes we process thoughts and feelings by talking about them, but in that same way be can “move” about them too. Movement is also a great way to start processing when you aren’t sure yet what you feel and don’t really know what to say.
There was a time in my life that I only worked out for aesthetic reasons. I worked out because I wanted my body to look a certain way. I cannot tell you how much of a positive impact it made on my life when I switched my mindset from working out to burn calories and get a six pack (which I never got by the way) to working out because I noticed how much mentally clear I was when I had a regular movement practice in my life. I also noticed how much more patient and kind I was with the people around me. But what I noticed the most was how much happier it made me to move my body because I loved it.
Here are a few more reasons you should be moving your body:
1. Regular exercise helps you be more social, especially if you are exercising with a buddy. Being more social also helps with anxiety and depression.
2. Exercise helps you make better decisions.
3. Exercise improves focus.
If you are looking for a place to start, there are a few studios in Nashville that I know to be safe and supportive places to begin if you are looking for a home to start your movement journey. I teach at getFIT615 and, to me, it is the most supportive and loving space in Nashville. A few other studios that I enjoy:
-Shakti Power Yoga
-Barre 3
-Krank FIT
-Results Fitness
-Cyclebar
Much of the knowledge I have used in this post came from life experience and also from the book “Spark” by John Ratey. I would recommend reading this book if your interest is peaked.
Are you ready to bend and snap yet??