Movement and embodiment for a better brain
Background
We tend to have a rather stereotypical image of mobility in society. Sometimes exercise is offered as a treatment in a way that can even increase anxiety, rather than encourage exercise. Of course, it's only positive if a pair of sneakers and exercise in a group inspires and encourages you to get moving. Exercise is undeniably healthy. But it is also good to be aware that even a small amount of exercise can stimulate the brain and enrich thinking.
Movement and exercise are much more than just exercise. Perhaps the best way to increase well-being is not to work through a long list of goals, challenges and demands. Indeed, physical activity could be reflected in our daily lives and in different situations in many different ways. How could movement be part of a regular meeting or a normal part of lecturing and learning?
In recent years, we have begun to better understand the many ways in which the body and mind are interconnected. More and more research has enriched our understanding of this connection and more and more experts have risen to remind us of the importance of the whole in our desire to support, maintain and enhance our well-being. At the same time, fragmentation, information overload, rush and stress have increased concerns about the functioning and well-being of our brains.
Aalto University has joined the national Mobile Learning programme and the Mobile University Student project, which aim to increase resilience and improve study skills, create greater inclusion, a stronger sense of community and thus achieve better learning outcomes. New services have been developed, such as local exercise classes, the Break Pro exercise app, livestreamed classes and ready-made break exercise videos.
Instruction
- Read the background article Move Your Brain! – How does movement increase wellbeing?
- Check out UniSport's Reducing sitting and being sedentary - easy material
- Take advantage of the How to add more movement to teaching, see 6 tips!
- Do a mindfulness exercise
Move Your Brain! – How does movement increase wellbeing?
Movement is much more than exercise. Physicality and embodiment should be seen more versatilely as a part of our everyday life.
| ⏰ ~4 min. |
We know that physical activity is good for both mind and body, and that we sit for too long when we study and work. However, adding such activity to workdays may seem challenging. How can we easily be more physically active, reducing the time spent sitting and immobile? Universities pursue an increasingly mobile everyday life for everyone.
According to the 2022 Student Barometer, students want teaching practices that increase physical activity and discourage sedentary behaviour. In spring 2023, the current state of the university's physical activity promotion was assessed through a survey offered by the Mobile Learning Programme. The results showed that the use of teaching methods that activate students remains low. Breaking up long periods of immobility has positive effects on health and learning, so integrating movement into teaching is beneficial.
Watch three short videos for tips on how you can easily integrate and incorporate movement into your teaching.
- Encourage standing during the lecture
- Take breaks during the lecture
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Inform about mobility in the teaching materials
The tips will support teaching staff to create more active learning environments and support student health and learning in the university community. Also download the break stickers below to include in your teaching materials.
To deepen your knowledge, you can also participate in the free 'Mobile learning - pedagogies for break' webinars and/or workshops offered nationwide by Active and Wellbeing in Higher Education in early November. The training will provide information on the benefits of taking a break and being mobile, as well as easy-to-implement practical tips. One of the webinars will be held in English. Register for the webinar and workshops on 'Learning to move - pedagogy of taking a break' below.
| ⏰ ~3 min. - ~19 min. (duration of exercises) |
Mindfulness, breathing techniques and other practices help us calm our minds. Everything begins when we stop. The aim is to get in touch with the present moment, with our thoughts and our body, but also with what is around us. It is very complex and, on the other hand, very easy. This page offers you information and mindfulness and other practices to use whenever you need.
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