Sensory Integration Education

When was the last time you moved your body for fun? Dancing, jumping or just playing? As adults, it is easy to forget how to move our bodies playfully. Many of the movement activities completed by adults are for a specific purpose. Walking from point A to B, walking to reach a certain number of steps each day, cycling to a destination or going to an exercise class. Whilst these activities are enjoyable for those who like to exercise, there is something about moving your body without realising you are exercising! Children often run or jump as part of a game without even thinking about it.

Recently I was at the beach and watched children walk along a pier to jump into the sea - the more splashes they created, the more they seemed to enjoy it! I was initially planning to use the pool ladder attached to the pier to get into the cold water slowly. However, I decided the easiest way to brave the sea was to jump right in. It was so much fun that I repeated this activity several times, something I haven’t done in years!

While sea swimming releases endorphins that can lift your mood, it was the jumping that brought me joy. Swimming in itself is a great way to get proprioceptive sensory input as the water provides this input through compression and the pressure is consistent on all parts of the body submerged under the water, which can be very calming and organising. Jumping and crashing into the water also provides sensory feedback and, on reflection, I realised I need to include more movement activities in my life that are just for fun.

Have you ever heard of the expression 'jump for joy'? Exercise provides a low-dose jolt to the brain's reward centre which is the part of the brain that helps you anticipate pleasure. It increases the release of dopamine, also known as the 'happiness hormone', a neurotransmitter that makes us feel joy. I also thought that the fact it didn't feel like I was exercising must have enhanced my feeling of joy and jumping into the ocean reminded me that I needed to do this more often.

So this autumn, I am going to ride my bicycle more often, without planning where I am going, and will be dancing more to a favourite song for no reason.

When movement activities become play, it boosts both your physical and mental health. What movement activities will you be doing 'just for fun'?

Hope you’re all having a wonderful summer!

Best wishes

Lelanie Brewer

PS: You may also be interested in this article by SWiRL Global: Making Swimming More Sensory Friendly. Whilst it’s well documented how much the water can benefit a person once they’re in, this article shares practical advice and tips on navigating sensory challenges that may be barriers to getting into the pool or water.

Sensory Snapshot is a regular series by Advanced SI Practitioner and OT Lelanie Brewer. Lelanie gained her MSc in OT at Brunel University, London, and is pursuing a PhD with Newcastle University. Experienced in the NHS, charity and private sectors, as well as being a UK university senior lecturer, Lelanie is the Lead for Continuous Professional Development at Sensory Integration Education.