Does your relationship with exercise feel more like a burden? Do you use it as a tool to lose weight or, is it a ‘punishment’ for overindulging? If so, exercise may not be your favourite thing to do and this, health and fitness experts say, may not be good for your wellbeing. Generally, physical activity offers a host of bodily and mental health benefits, however, if done merely out of compulsion, it may have a negative impact on one’s overall health. The good news is, exercise doesn’t have to seem like a chore. If you feel like exercising is draining, opt for ‘joyful movement’— a way of approaching physical activity that emphasises pleasure—and make it consistent. With this, you’ll get the benefits that come with physical activity albeit in an enjoyable way. Joyful movement means shifting the body in any way that truly feels good to you. In reality, there are many reasons to move your body regardless of its impact on weight, including improving sleep, managing stress, and lowering the risk for cardiovascular disease. To promote a more inclusive approach to physical movement and healthy living, health fitness experts say there are different approaches that can help one maintain a healthy body size. These movements include; swimming, dancing, walking, gardening, doing house chores, as well as playing with kids. Nadege Rusamaza, a dancer and choreographer, says dance, for example, is a way of working out but at the same time having fun, thus can be the best workout for anyone who finds it hard to go to the gym. She says that this doesn’t mean that you should ignore fitness classes, morning runs, or other intense forms of exercise—incorporate them depending on your goals. “Burning calories doesn’t mean that you have to be involved in vigorous exercise or intense workouts, this can also be achieved by simply moving the body, and when done regularly, can be a valuable tool in maintaining a healthy lifestyle,” she says. Importance Grace Umurungi, a fitness trainer in Kigali, says all these fun activities tend to combine movement in a setting that isn’t a gym, making it more enjoyable. Umurungi says such pleasant movements leave you feeling refreshed, clear-headed and energised. She adds that joyful movement also highlights choice while exercise often feels compulsory, therefore, naturally it will be easy to do what you want to do. Studies have established that joyful movement helps improve blood pressure; and adequate exercise ensures that your heart stays healthy and strong. When your heart is strong, it takes less effort to pump blood throughout your body, which means your heart is less stressed. It does not have to work as hard and there is not a lot of force put on your arteries. Consistent joyful movement has been shown to help raise “good” cholesterol; as per the American Heart Association and American Council on Exercise, staying active helps to increase the “good” cholesterol (HDL) and lower the “bad” cholesterol (LDL). Higher HDL and lower LDL means your arteries are kept cleaner and healthier, which improves overall heart health. Also, it increases circulation; good circulation is imperative to allow sufficient oxygen to be provided throughout the body. Improved circulation affects overall functioning and can also help to prevent potential issues such as blood clots. These exercises can as well help one reach the recommended sleep goal of seven to nine hours per night as it eases feelings of restlessness and reduces stress. With joyful movement, experts agree that all kinds of movement are valid. Not only do different people have different preferences when it comes to movement, but different abilities as well. To make joyful movement inclusive, all types of movement must be equal, even if they may have different purposes. Other examples of joyful movement include; practicing yoga, taking a dance class and tapping into your sexy side, or going for a stroll to sift through your thoughts.
