How Can Movement Support Our Mental Health and Wellbeing?
This week at I Am Here, we’re asking: How Can Movement Support Our Mental Health and Wellbeing?
• What impact does physical activity have on preventing and managing illness?
• Can combining movement with mindfulness enhance our emotional wellbeing?
• Why is it ok to start small when it comes to exercise?
Movement is medicine. It strengthens our bodies, boosts our minds, and helps us feel more connected—to ourselves and those around us.
Whether it’s a walk, a swim, or some dancing in the kitchen, the science is clear: moving more helps us feel better.
What Are We Listening This Week?
We’re tuning into an eye-opening podcast from Found My Fitness titled The Science of Exercise for Cancer with Kerry Courneya, Ph.D.
The episode dives deep into how regular physical activity is a powerful tool in both the prevention and treatment of cancer. Research shows that being physically active can lower the risk of developing at least 8–10 types of cancer—with the strongest effects seen in colon (8–14% risk reduction in men), breast (6–10% lower risk), and endometrial cancers (10–18% lower risk).
Even more inspiring? These benefits exist even without weight loss. Exercise supports metabolic health, reduces inflammation, and strengthens immune function. The podcast is long, but really worth a listen.
The Found My Fitness website has conveniently broken the video into chapters so you can jump to the parts that interest you.
Listen To Podcast – 90-minute Listen
What Are We Reading This Week?
We’re reading a powerful article from The Guardian: Move body and mind: five exercises to improve mental health – from twists to lunges.
Therapists and personal trainers are increasingly blending mental health support with movement-based practices. This holistic approach acknowledges that our emotional and physical selves are deeply interconnected.
Whether it’s the grounding power of yoga, the emotional release of shadow boxing, or the mindful breath that accompanies a deep lunge—exercise can be a powerful form of therapy.
The article offers practical examples of exercise you can try today, even from the comfort of your home.
Read the article – 7-minute read
Who Are We Quoting This Week?
“True enjoyment is from the activity of the mind and exercise of the body; the two are ever united.”
– Wilhelm Von Humboldt
At I Am Here, we believe in the union between mind and body. Mental health and physical health are not separate—they’re allies.