Modern man is forever chasing something. Haste and the associated anxiety accompany us every day. Stress negatively affects our psyche and the physical condition of our bodies.
So can movement and mobilizing ourselves for regular activity reduce the tension that accompanies us every day?
It is widely believed that systematic exercise not only improves our fitness but also has a positive effect on our body’s immunity, increases energy resources in the body and, very importantly, also improves our mood and brings relaxation. Not everyone realizes that physical activity also affects our mental performance. It is a well-known fact that the efficiency of learning is greatly improved if the process of acquiring knowledge is interspersed with physical exercise, which not only relieves the body of tension but also stimulates our brain to work harder.
Scientific research shows that under the influence of stimulation and regular physical activity, our brains also activate.
In various types of therapy, certain physical exercises are used, which have a beneficial effect on the functioning of our brain. Children who actively and regularly perform physical exercises perform better in memory tests and the process of memorization is quick and easy for them. Physical effort has a very positive effect on our mood and well-being.
Some specific exercises are used when working with children who have problems with concentration, are hyperactive in motor skills, have dyslexic problems, as well as in the case of other dysfunctions and specific learning problems. As a curiosity it can be mentioned that some brain-stimulating exercises according to e.g. met. Dennison can also be used by some athletes who are required to react very quickly to changing environmental situations, such as racing drivers.
It is worth mentioning here very effective methods used in work mainly with children diagnosed with specific learning or behavioral problems, for example: Dennison‘s method, Veronica Sherborne‘s Developmental Movement method, Sensory Integration.
Dr. Paul Dennison is the creator of the so-called Method of Educational Kinesiology. It is a simple and effective method that supports the natural development of children, but it can also be used by adults. Its main task is to integrate thoughts and actions, or the interplay of mind and body. Educational kinesiology is becoming increasingly popular in the therapy of children with specific learning difficulties in reading and writing. The method works well with dyslexic children, with dysgraphia and other school problems, as well as with various types of dysfunctions caused by various developmental defects. This unique and universal method has a very comprehensive impact:
- It helps overcome stress and tension.
- It allows us to communicate more easily with other people.
- Overcome difficulties whose cause is the problems of dyslexia, dysgraphia and dysorthography.
I myself, almost twenty years ago, in a clash with the problems that my son was diagnosed with, became interested in these methods. I managed to complete a short course at the kindergarten my son attended, where I learned the basics of the method. These experiences became the beginning of a fascination and deeper interest in the effects of movement and various types of stimulation through movement on the work of our brain.
Veronica Sherborne method – the main principle of this method is the all-round development of the child through movement, better awareness of his/her own body, its possibilities and limitations, as well as improvement of motor skills. By working with the child using this method, the child learns to distinguish the space around him, share the space with others as well as this method helps the child establish better contacts with other people. The child begins to feel safe in the surrounding space and among the people with whom he performs exercises. These exercises are usually performed in the presence of a caregiver, an adult.
Personally, I started my son’s therapy with this very method. I remember how we did various exercises together with him and how after some time I clearly noticed changes in his behavior, more openness, courage and taking initiative.
Sensory Integration – in general, our brain, collecting information from the environment through all the senses (sight, hearing, touch, balance, feeling movement – kinesia), recognizes, differentiates and interprets this information and integrates it with previous experiences. On this basis, the brain creates responses. Interestingly, sensory integration begins as early as the fetal period and continues until about age 7. Certain obstacles to the development of certain skills can lead to certain difficulties or behavioral disorders in the child.
Sensory Integration therapy can only be conducted by a certified therapist after a thorough diagnosis and history of the child.
I personally completed the 1st level of the course with this method, my lack of pedagogical education did not allow me to continue my training and become a therapist, but the basic cognitive knowledge of this method that I received became very valuable to me.
Thus, we can see that stimulation through movement can not only help us stay in better psycho-physical condition, but also become part of therapy.
Today, knowledge and access to various types of therapy for children diagnosed with learning or behavioral problems is much broader than in the days when I struggled with such problems in my son. However, I know that one should not give up and should seek knowledge and opportunities for help.
When we take care of our regular physical activity at a young age and try to maintain and constantly stimulate our bodies through regular exercise then we will certainly earn the good physical condition of our body and mind in old age.
Under the influence of physical activity, happiness hormones or endorphins are secreted.
Thus, regular exercise not only helps improve mood and reduce stress, but also reduces the risk of contracting many diseases considered to be so-called “diseases of civilization,” including cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, osteoporosis, and prevents senile dementia and slows down the aging process of our body.
Exercise stimulates the production of serotonin and dopamine, this causes the person exercising to have a marked improvement in mood, feeling calm and happy.
Regular exercise directly affects us, we think in a clear way, we are more creative, we perform necessary activities faster and more efficiently. In general, physical activity gives us tangible benefits for our body and mind, positively affects our intellectual performance, but also makes us much better able to withstand states of nervous tension and better able to cope when exposed to severe stress.
Everyone should find the type of physical activity that is best for him or herself, one that harmonizes with our personality and, of course, is suitable for our health. If we already suffer from any cardiovascular or musculoskeletal diseases, it is worth consulting a doctor to find out whether the type of physical activity we have chosen is suitable for our health. In planning exercises we should also take into account our age and fitness as well. It often happens that our physical condition is much better than that of an average person of our age, but such a state of affairs must be earned.
However, there are times when the opposite is true, past illnesses or injuries may prevent us from practicing certain sports, in which case we should choose something suitable for ourselves.
The best exercises for our body are those that oxygenate our body, such as: swimming, running, cycling, walking with sticks. If we have the opportunity, outdoor activity is highly recommended. However, in autumn and winter, or if for some reason we cannot exercise outside, physical activity is always beneficial for us, even indoors.
Dance deserves wider attention, which not only has a positive impact on our physical fitness, but also has a therapeutic effect.
How does physical exercise affect the workings of our minds?
During movement, physical activity, blood is better oxygenated and distributes oxygen and carries nutrients throughout the body.
As a result, our brain is better oxygenated, our muscles work, our joints.
Physical exercise is the best solution if we want to improve our mood.
In summary, by exercising we improve the condition of our body, the efficiency of our mind and also delay the aging process of our body and brain.
According to scientific studies, physically active people are much less prone to stressful situations. Sport and exercise allow us to relieve tension in our bodies in a positive way, the production of endorphins after exercise has a very positive effect on improving our mood, we are able to look at the problems of everyday life with more detachment and look more optimistically into the future.
Already getting into the habit of regular physical exercise also contributes to our better shape, better condition of our body and mind in old age.
