The Mind-Body Connection: Feeling Healthy & Free Through Mindful Movement

 
 

I have learned so much about health in the past 7+ years since I got certified as a Holistic Health Coach. One of the things that always fascinates me is how powerful our health habits are that are completely unrelated to what we eat or how many times we go to the gym.

Most people think that health = food + gym. No sugar, no coffee, more veggies, less meat, etc and burning calories at the gym. This is all definitely important, however, there are other categories of health that have a huge impact on our wellbeing.

Happiness Hormones for Your Health

The mind-body connection plays an important role in our overall wellbeing, linking physical movements to mental and emotional health in profound ways. Dance, a form of physical activity that engages both the body and the mind, is a great example for this connection.

When you dance, your body releases endorphins in the brain, which are hormones that are considered natural mood lifters, which can help in reducing stress and anxiety. This type of physical movement stimulates the brain's reward centers, leading you to feel joyful and satisfied. As you move your body to the rhythm of the music, you not only improve your physical fitness, but also let yourself express your emotions through the movement, contributing to a sense of freedom and overall wellbeing.

Expressing Your Emotions Through Dance

Free-flow dance is also a powerful tool to process and express your emotions. As you move your body to the music, you get to energetically process and release what feels heavy on you. This emotional release can help in managing feelings of sadness, anger, overwhelm, or frustration, and you can end your dance session feeling renewed and refreshed, not just in your body, but also in your mind.

When practiced regularly, you may find yourself feeling more resilient and less irritable, which may make it easier for you to navigate everyday’s life challenges.

Dance as a Social Activity

In addition to the mental and emotional benefits, dance also supports social connections, which are vital for our mental health - more than we may actually think. Dancing with others, even when everyone just dances by themselves, gives us a sense of community and belonging, reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness. The shared experience of moving together creates energetic bonds and strengthens our empathy, which helps for our overall wellbeing.

Overall, the mind-body connection through dance not only improves our physical health, but is also extremely beneficial for our mental and emotional health, making it a powerful practice for a beautiful, balanced, and fulfilling life.

Ready to move the energy in your life? Click below for upcoming events and to find out how to work with a Health Coach to uplevel your energy and overall health:

 

GET YOUR FREE WEEKLY PLANNER FOR PERFECTIONISTS

Making time for you is so possible, even with a full calendar, and an unfinished to-do list!

Use the strategies I've taught my clients on how to find balance in work and life as a high-achieving woman. Click below to get it:

Quit Perfectionism in 2022 and Create a Peaceful Life

Quit Perfectionism in 2022 and Create a Peaceful Life

Let's face it: perfectionism is keeping you stuck in so many ways. And it probably has been for years, if not decades. It makes you work extra hours every day, because you just can't finish that project without it being 100% perfect. It makes you spend every free minute taking care of your friend's needs, your parents' desires, and everyone else who may need your help. You feel exhausted and tired, because you can't switch of your mind at night and often don't wakeup well-rested.

How to Become the Most Glowing Version of Yourself in 2022

How to Become the Most Glowing Version of Yourself in 2022

Perfectionists, listen up! I know you may not be fully happy with how 2021 went (I still feel it myself...), and maybe in January of 2021, you had the perfect plan for how you're going to glow up your life that year... Then life happened and your expertise, time, and energy was required at your job, and you couldn't help but lean in and (over)deliver, making sure everyone was happy with your results at work.

How to Avoid Overwhelm and Fully Enjoy This Holiday Season

How to Avoid Overwhelm and Fully Enjoy This Holiday Season

It's crazy times, and it has never been easier for us to escape into a Netflix binge-watch or an hour-long scrolling through social media to escape the reality. While I don't believe that there is a "right" or "wrong" here, and I absolutely believe in a mindful Christmas movie marathon (have you watched Single All The Way yet?), it is all about finding the balance.

Blissful is the New Busy: How to Truly Feel Successful

Blissful is the New Busy: How to Truly Feel Successful

It is no secret that the holiday season can be challenging for many reasons – but one thing that tends to seep into everyone’s holiday season is the busyness. It seems there is always somewhere to go, something you need to buy, something you need to cook, somewhere you need to travel to, the projects you need to finish at work before the end of the year - the list goes on and it can get a bit overwhelming!

Indicators You Aren't Getting Enough Sleep

Indicators You Aren't Getting Enough Sleep

Sleep is so underrated. Some people even say "I can sleep when I'm dead!". Lol I definitely do not subscribe to that and I really love a good night sleep! When you wakeup naturally in the morning and you're feeling so well-rested, content, and ready for a new day? It's the best feeling.

Being a "Good Girl" is a Gift

Being a "Good Girl" is a Gift

It is not a crime to be a good girl.

In fact, it’s a gift.

You love.

You give.

You care.

You take on.

You keep going.

You believe.

You hope.

You support.

You don’t give up.

You have an open heart, even when you get hurt.

You always choose love.

These are qualities not everyone has, and you should be proud of them.

4 Healthy Ways to Deal with Your Emotions

4 Healthy Ways to Deal with Your Emotions

Emotions are real and it is healthy to feel them. Pushing your emotions away or avoiding your feelings will turn you either into a numb robot or put you on an emotional rollercoaster.

The secret: it is not your job to control them.

Especially in times like now, that don't seem to ever end and get better, many of us are struggling with the unexpected and daily changing situations worldwide - me included. So I've put together 3 tips that I use all the time help me navigate emotions in a healthy way.

If You Don't Enjoy Yoga, Do This

If You Don't Enjoy Yoga, Do This

I just got back from a 2-month trip to Bali, and I honestly thought I'd be going to Yoga several times a week (doesn't everyone go to Bali because of yoga?!), but I actually haven't gone to a single regular yoga class while I was there! I much preferred doing some juicy Yin yoga, meditation classes, chanting, and dancing. And my heart is so full right now.

See, a few years ago, I used to do vinyasa or hatha yoga daily at home, but my body doesn't crave that type of movement anymore. Right now, my body needs more sweaty workouts, more flowy movements, and deep relaxation practices - and that's OK!

About Those New Year's Resolutions You Made in January...

About Those New Year's Resolutions You Made in January...

Happy August 15! It's hard to believe we're more than half way through the year AND the end of the year is coming closer. Ok, that's a bit dramatic, I admit, but if you're anything like me, a perfectionist through and through, you probably set some goals at the beginning of the year.

You Only Live Once (+ Why This Impacts Your Glow)

You Only Live Once (+ Why This Impacts Your Glow)

YOLO. You Only Live Once.

While many people use this acronym to "justify" going to parties every possible day, getting drunk, smoking, doing drugs or other toxic things, I see this a little differently:

I believe that since we only live once, it's even more important to live the best and happiest life we can. #theglowlife

Being healthy, feeling well-rested daily, doing meaningful work that makes a difference in this world, surrounding yourself with people you're obsessed with and can talk to about deep life stuff for hours is a blessing.

I personally want to live a happy life as long as I possibly can! What about you?

How to Make Affirmations Work for You

How to Make Affirmations Work for You

"I am creating the life of my dreams."

What a powerful statement, right? If you said that statement out loud, would it be true? Would you feel excited? The fascinating thing about affirmations, other than the fact that they truly work, is that they only work if you believe that they work. Your energy about them matters, your feelings about them matters, your internal voice matters, and your subconscious belief patterns matter.

3 Tips to Handle Post-COVID Overwhelm

3 Tips to Handle Post-COVID Overwhelm

Although many countries are opening up, and some activities are returning to a "new normal," many of my clients, however, have been feeling quite socially overwhelmed. There is so much to catch up on, so many friends to reconnect with and so many functions to attend (in-person!). They have been saying YES to everything, and then feeling over-committed and resentful of the pile that is building up for them.

Introverts, listen up!

Loving Yourself (for real!) as a Perfectionist

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Self-Love

...means showing up to the f*ing mat when all you want to do is eat chips and watch Netflix.⁣

...means doing the damn heart opening meditation when you just want to close your heart and crawl up in bed and cry.⁣

...means writing in your freaking journal that you just want to throw out the window.⁣

What's the difference between self-care and self-love?

Self-care on the good says is just kind pampering. Face masks, bubble baths, lighting a candle, reading a book... It feels nice and you really love it. You practice something regularly, you strengthen a muscle, so that when things don’t always go right, you know you have the strength to get through it. You know you can rely on yourself.⁣

Self-love is practicing self-care when you really don't want to

Practicing self-care on the hard days is true self-love.⁣ You do it when you really don't want to. You do it when you just want to throw in the towel and walk away. You do it when all you want to do is hide under the covers and cry and sleep. Showing up with kindness, compassion, and love for yourself in these moments, you have figured out a bit part of what I call "the Glow Life".

It may require a bit of a loving kick in the butt from your higher self sometimes, and you may really want to do the opposite of it, but when you have reached the point where, in your darkest moments, you take care of yourself in a loving way, that's what true self-love is.

⁣Love yourself enough to show up for yourself when you need yourself the most.


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3 Tips for High Achieving Perfectionists Who Are Ready to Remove Overwhelm and Work Less

...WITHOUT COMPROMISING RESULTS AND BURNING YOURSELF OUT

I created a free self-care guide if you’re someone who always puts everyone else - especially work! - first and needs some tips for perfectionists to slow down again! Click the button below to download your self-care guide for free:

How to Set Better Boundaries as a People Pleaser (Includes Journaling Exercise!)

How to Set Better Boundaries as a People Pleaser (Includes Journaling Exercise!)

Yes, you can definitely set boundaries while improving your relationships as well as having more time left for yourself. Taking care of your own needs is your duty. When you're filled up, you can serve others so much better. When you're filled up, you can show up for your loved ones with 100% of your energy, love, and time. Whereas when you're already burned out, your plate is overflowing, and you're running at 7% of your own batteries, you can only show up for them from that place.