Sitting while reading? Feeling tired, distracted, maybe a bit cranky? Come along with us for a quick and fun brain boost: Standing or sitting, do 10 to 15 alternating high knees. Rest, repeat. Notice any difference in how you feel? More refreshed and ready to focus and read? That’s exactly what our students do to feel and learn at their best.😊
Why? Because movement ignites the brain and releases those “feel good” brain chemicals, known as endorphins, to help improve mood and energy levels. Together, these positive effects help to improve self-confidence and resilience. In other words, it’s good for your mental health.
Why are we talking about mental health? For one, May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Observed since 1949, its purpose is to raise awareness and educate the public.
Earlier this month, Move2Learn’s Program Director Jen Wiser met with Alexandria City High School students who are members of the Mental Health Matters Club.
For another, all of Move2Learn’s programming revolves around the all-important body-mind connection, a key factor in mental health.
That’s why the Alexandria public school system asked us to bring our role of movement to their social, emotional and academic learning. We developed and are now teaching the benefits of movement on emotions to all ACPS students, K-12.
We teach students the science behind the mind-body connection, to identify a variety of emotions that often stand in the way of learning, and to practice simple movements and deep breathing techniques aimed at mitigating negative emotions and re-focusing on learning.
Speaking of students and the mind-body connection, we were excited to join the student-led Mental Health Matters Club at Alexandria City High School this month. We were encouraged by our conversations with students about mental health, and shared simple movements (and M2L toolkits!) to work through stress, anxiety and other emotions.
Helping our students feel and learn their best through movement is what we do all year long.
