Albert Einstein once said, “Nothing happens until something moves.” He may have been talking about physics, but he had a point. There are numerous activities we can do that involve movement. Some of them are natural everyday activities, while others are things we push ourselves to do. But, what if I told you that movement could be the key to educating about and expressing mental health?
Lisa Linger, the founder of Mental Health in Motion, puts it best: “So much of mental health is invisible.” There are so many factors of the struggle with mental health that others cannot see.
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In our podcast, Lisa discusses the forms in which we often learn about mental health. There are four different types of learners: visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and reading/writing (Bay Atlantic University). Most people typically have one type that stands out for them and is their best method of education. Lisa and Jordyn point out that we mostly learn about mental health through books, pamphlets, or talks that can be found on the internet, or even on TikTok. We can put our advice, facts, and concerns about mental health in written form, but it proves the reality that most of the mental health struggles individuals face are imperceptible.
So, you may wonder, what can we do? We can move! Mental Health in Motion (MHIM) is a prime example of how “movement” can be a factor of change for mental health with the use of creative means. The organization focuses on providing an education on a multitude of mental health topics with visuals to help people grasp those invisible aspects of mental health. There are three different modes you may see in Mental Health in Motion – dance presentations, self-care workshops, and MHIM for youth.
Each of these three modes has one main focus in common: educating people about mental health. Whether it is through dancing, talking, or focusing on today’s youth, MHIM is making a change. What stands out the most to me is the dance presentations. MHIM is allowing people to do what they love while also educating people on topics in mental health through dance, props, and metaphors. These dance presentations make the invisible parts of mental health struggles tangible. It allows mental health to be heard about, talked about, read about, and, finally, seen!
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But I know dancing is not for everyone, so I will relieve those of you who don’t like to visit the dance floor. Any type of movement is beneficial to our mental health! Movement releases endorphins, relieves stress, moves emotions through our body, provides an outlet, and creates a connection with our body (University of Colorado Boulder). This can be through running, walking, swimming, biking, playing sports, climbing the stairs in your house, taking your dog for a walk, doing yard work – anything!
Image Source: Jarom Vogel
Moving won’t cure all mental health struggles, but it may be a step towards expressing your emotions. Even if it is just for a few minutes, it may be a big help. So, allow your emotions to flow through your body, not just your mind.
If you would like to learn more about Mental Health in Motion, get involved, or read about some of their past and future performances, go to https://www.mentalhealthinmotion.org/.