Movement as Self-Love: A Lifelong Relationship with Fitness

I've always been drawn to movement — not just for the physical benefits, but for how it makes me feel in my body and mind. As someone who's neurodivergent, I've learned that daily movement helps me feel centered, focused, and ready to face what's ahead. It's not about chasing fitness goals or sticking to a rigid routine. For me, it's one of the most grounding ways I care for my mental health — an act of self-love that helps me return to myself.

My love of movement began when I was young through gymnastics, dance, and Physical Culture (or physie for those who know). In my teens, I joined my first fitness class at our local community hall. I remember stepping into the hall, unsure of what to expect. The instructor wasn't the cliché image of fitness — she was strong, feminine, and full of energy. She carried herself with purpose, and something about her struck a chord in me. I walked out that day feeling alive in my body and clear in my mind — and I've been chasing that feeling ever since. Over the years, movement has taken many shapes. I've done gym memberships, team and individual sports, home workouts, long walks, and plenty of running. In my twenties, I'd sometimes leave the gym and reach for habits that didn't align with the version of myself I was trying to become. But even then, something deeper kept calling me back — not to fitness, but to movement. To the rhythm, the clarity, the reset. It helped me feel like myself, even when the rest of life felt chaotic or out of sync.

Now, at fifty, I'm still showing up. Most mornings you'll find me at the gym, blending strength classes, high-intensity sessions, indoor cycling and my new favorite — Pilates (because let's be honest, my tuck jumps aren't what they used to be!). Some days I still run — not as fast or as far as I once did, but for the same reasons I always have: freedom, focus, and a fresh headspace. The way I move has changed, but the reason hasn't. It's how I start my day with intention — a moment just for me, where I feel strong in my body and steady in my mind. My thoughts are often busy, scattered, and fast-moving. But when I move — whether I'm walking, stretching, lifting, cycling, or running — I come back into the present. My mind slows just enough for me to find focus. That time becomes a quiet anchor, helping me regulate my mood, manage anxiety, and connect to my day with more clarity.

This connection isn't just something I feel — there's science to back it up. Research shows that exercise boosts important brain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin that affect our mood, focus, and motivation (Den Heijer et al., 2017). This is especially helpful for those of us with ADHD, as physical activity increases the brain chemicals that we often have less of (Fritz & O'Connor, 2016). Exercise also helps the thinking parts of our brain work better and manage stress responses more effectively (Ratey, 2019). Studies consistently show that moving our bodies reduces anxiety and helps us handle emotions better, with even a single workout helping when anxiety hits (Stubbs et al., 2017; Herring et al., 2010). And I feel that difference — in my body, in my relationships, and in the way I show up to life.

Some days I can't make it to the gym — and that's okay. I walk or jog outdoors, breathe fresh air, and find a steady rhythm. There's no pressure to perform or achieve. Just movement. Just presence. It's something my whole family embraces, each in their own way. I've probably given more dinner-table TED talks than anyone ever asked for about the benefits of movement — but I believe in it deeply. It doesn't have to be intense, perfect, or even planned. It just has to connect you back to yourself. For me, movement is not about performance or perfection. It's about feeling at home in my body, grounded in my day, and reminded that I'm worth taking care of. It's not a task on my to-do list — it's a daily act of kindness, a way to tune in and slow down in a fast-moving world.

This is just my story — not a prescription. What works for me may not be what works for you. But I hope it invites you to be curious. To try walking, dancing, swimming, running, or stretching. To discover the kind of movement that makes you feel more like yourself. Because that, at its core, is what movement offers: a way to return home to your body, to your breath, and to the version of you that feels most alive.

References

Den Heijer, A. E., Groen, Y., Tucha, L., Fuermaier, A. B., Koerts, J., Lange, K. W., Thoma, P., & Tucha, O. (2017). Sweat it out? The effects of physical exercise on cognition and behavior in children and adults with ADHD: A systematic literature review. Journal of Neural Transmission, 124(Suppl 1), 3-26.

Fritz, K. M., & O'Connor, P. J. (2016). Acute exercise improves mood and motivation in young men with ADHD symptoms. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 48(6), 1153-1160.

Herring, M. P., O'Connor, P. J., & Dishman, R. K. (2010). The effect of exercise training on anxiety symptoms among patients: A systematic review. Archives of Internal Medicine, 170(4), 321-331.

Ratey, J. J. (2019, October 24). Can exercise help treat anxiety? Harvard Health Blog. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/can-exercise-help-treat-anxiety-2019102418096

Stubbs, B., Vancampfort, D., Rosenbaum, S., Firth, J., Cosco, T., Veronese, N., Salum, G. A., & Schuch, F. B. (2017). An examination of the anxiolytic effects of exercise for people with anxiety and stress-related disorders: A meta-analysis. Psychiatry Research, 249, 102- 108.