We all know that exercise is important for physical and mental health and that it can even be tied to greater happiness and well-being. However, our relationship with exercise is too often rooted in a "should" mentality, where we think we must move our bodies in a certain way to achieve certain results—often weight loss and fitness goals. But what if we could move our bodies in a joyful way that made us feel good, regardless of the results?

Joyful movement is about cultivating a relationship with our bodies based on pleasure and exploration instead of performance and achievement. It’s about finding movement practices that bring us joy and make us feel good rather than punishing or making us feel like we're not good enough. It’s about understanding the ways in which our bodies can move and exploring ways to move that feel good.

Before you begin, remember that our professionals are always here to help

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This is what it means to move mindfully with joy instead

Joyful movement (or mindful movement if that doesn’t feel quite right) is doing physical activities in your body that bring you joy in the here and now instead of focusing on the future results.

It’s different from exercise because it's not about pushing yourself to reach a goal or to achieve a certain outcome. Instead, it’s about being aware of how your body feels, how your mind feels as you use your muscles, bones and joints so that you can tune into the sensations the movement creates within you.

Why does physical self-care matter for my mental health?

Joyful movement is an important component of mental health and well-being. It can help reduce stress, improve mood, and increase energy levels. It can also help boost self-confidence and reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. If you’ve ever struggled with safe boundaries around food, joyful movement may be empowering as you take back control of your body through joy instead of punishment.

What are the benefits of joyful movement?

Joyful movement can have a huge range of benefits for your physical and mental health. It can help to reduce stress and anxiety, improve your self-esteem, and increase your energy levels. It can also help to improve your body image and connection to your body which is just a great thing all around.

Finding joyful movement can help to reduce stress and anxiety, improve your relationship with your body and build self-compassion. It can also help to reduce negative thoughts and feelings. You don’t need special equipment or skills, just the willingness to be mindful and aware of your body as you move.

Here’s how you can get started today!

Joyful movement can be anything that feels good to you, which is excellent news because you don’t have to wait for someone else to define it for you.

Think big and try something new or return to your roots and lean into nostalgia—joyful movement is yours to define! It might be dancing to your favorite song, going for a walk in nature, or simply stretching and breathing. The key is finding something that you enjoy and feels comfortable.

If all that choice feels a little overwhelming, we get it. You can start by not knowing where to start too! Make a list of things you already enjoy or want to try, and then try them one by one to see what works for you. You could try yoga, swimming, or walking a trail or greenspace nearby. The important thing is to focus on the experience right now rather than the end result—it's about appreciating the journey of this moment and movement, so don’t worry about making a plan or having it all figured out.

We made you a list

To get you started, we asked our Luna Joy clinicians how they like to move their bodies joyfully. Here are some of the things they said:

Having a dance party
Going on a nature walk or hike
Doing yoga (in a class, at home, or outside)
Swimming laps or testing how long you can tread water
Riding a bike
Skating—roller, ice or board!
Hiking groups or running clubs
Hooping
Playing a team sport like football or softball

Some of these ways to move joyfully can also help you build new skills, restore routine and create lasting friendships in your community (which is particularly important after these last few years). We hope you’ll add to the list or tell us what you tried!

Joyful movement is a wonderful way to reconnect with your body and mind. It’s an opportunity to bring yourself back to sensation, surprise and curiosity while also getting some pretty sweet physical and mental health perks like lower stress and a stronger sense of self.

It’s time to take back the way you move and the reasons why. So, find something that brings you joy and start moving your body with joy today! Luna Joy is with you every step (or hop, splash or wiggle) of the way.

Let's Get Active! Finding Joyful Movement