When I asked about some of her favorite self-care activities, Dr. Kris listed “exercise and movement” near the top. “The more we move our bodies, the better,” she said. “Getting out in nature and breathing, while moving, and ideally, working up a sweat is vital for our health.”
And not only will making room in your schedule for regular exercise keep your body healthy, in many cases it’s been shown to be as effective as pharmaceuticals in managing mood, anxiety, and depression. “Select aerobic activities, such as running, biking or swimming, that trigger the release of ‘feel good’ neurochemicals,” Dr. Kate F. Hays told the American Psychological Association. You can also use exercise as a way to zone out and relax your mind — “as a distraction” from other, less-enriching zoning-out methods, like mindless snacking or TV-watching.
What’s a good example of exercise as self care? “Going to the gym after a tough morning with your toddler or a nerve-racking day at work so that you can release stress, clear your mind, give yourself an energy boost, take care of your body and your mind to help you feel grounded, happy and healthy,” offered Burton.
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