Who doesn’t love recess? Time to move and play? We all should hopefully know how important recess is for children at this point. But, over the last few years I’ve realized just how much movement and getting my own recess benefits my mental health during turbulent times. There are many reasons why we ALL need movement and time to play now more than ever.
Creating My Own Recess
Like my favorite group exercise instructor says, “A rolling stone gathers no moss!” I was never an athlete as a child. Playing sports or taking dance classes weren’t things I thought I could do. Activities that required organized group exercise weren’t things I was jumping into readily. I didn’t overextend myself or take on a whole lot of risk as a kid. By the time high school rolled around and there was turbulence to deal with, I had no real physical outlet. Then, my mother joined a gym so I went a few times with her. At first, the discomfort was foreign but I went along because at the time there was little left to do. Afterwards I would feel more clarity, my mood improved and I wanted to make healthier choices in life. I realized if I was going to start moving forward in this stagnant part of my life, it was going to be only me who could do it. The benefit of exercise came to me by accident. I got healthier and happier and found myself at college the following year. I slowly created this movement habit for myself, and it stuck!
Keeping the Recess Habit Amid Motherhood
As a new mother, I remember telling my OBGYN that I was having trouble sleeping. I was anxious and didn’t feel like “me”. I was stressed about not sleeping, about the baby waking and a hundred million other things. My doctor urged me to first start moving and get back to daily or weekly “Recess” appointments with myself. She reminded me to start setting time aside for movement and to begin with group exercise classes again and if I didn’t feel a change soon to check in. I committed to two days a week for an hour each day. I got a babysitter for the kids and made time for my vigorous play. The doctor was right. Soon my sleep improved and so did my overall well-being. I can say that the past two years could make you feel as though you are in the throes of something new and stressful every time we pull back the next month on the calendar. The stress of this time right now can be reduced by that endorphin release and thus helping our circadian rhythm.
Connection and Mental Health
During COVID, I continued to attend group classes as much as i could. Between changing schedules and the upheaval of a life that we once all knew as normal, moving has been one thing that has stayed constant. Mental Health is now getting some new awareness and I am here for it! And movement that incorporates connection like the kind i’m describing could be the way for so many of us to attend to their wellbeing. Moving with a group keeps me accountable, it forms a sort of team bond and mentality, and it makes me feel I matter to others.
Mothers and children especially have taken on so much change and challenge over the past three years.
As a society we are looking at movement for kids as a necessity tool for their education. Even pushing back strongly against using recess as a privilege that can be lost. Instead, to see movement for children as a necessary part of their day — as a right in their education. When I look back on my time as a young person I could have used a heck of a lot more movement. The reason why kids love recess so much is probably the same reason why group exercise benefits me too.
In a 2019 Harvard study, researchers found clear evidence that physical activity lowered or prevented depression. I have to guess that if group movement had entered my life earlier chances are I may not have skipped so many days of school as a teenager. Perhaps i would have been able to handle the waves instead of sinking.
Adults need recess now more than ever.
Adults and kids need recess — particularly during turbulent times in life. I have learned the best peace is there. A time of Mental Wealth.
After doing some research I also found that many local gyms and group exercise studios on the Seacoast now offer and cater to teens and college age students and have nursery hours. Perfect when you need that physical outlet!
