Restorative rocking promises to reduce stress and to lull us to sleep. Below are 6 benefits of rocking to integrate into your lifestyle routine.
What is rocking
A rocking movement is one way to soothe our body and mind. Think rocking chairs, rocking a baby, swings and rocking to music.
The 6 benefits of rocking
1) Rocking is soothing: It stimulates the vestibular system to stimulate and soothe the soul. Different methods of rocking can help ‘rock away’ depression and anxiety. The rocking motion soothes the brain and facilitates concentration along with the ability to think logically, which provides overall improved cognitive processing.
2) Rocking restores good posture. While rocking can sometimes make you look a little strange, it is a good way to help realign the spine. As you rock you work to keep your chest up, shoulders back, and head forward which helps to reset the body if crouched at a computer all day.
3) Rocking strengthens the pelvic floor. Rocking is a gentle strength training exercise which engages the pelvic floor muscles and helps to strengthen abdominals which keep organs and pelvic region together.
4) Rocking develops reflexive stability. This is your original strength. This is how we get your body moving and working together as it should. With every rock you are engaging the deep muscles of the pelvic floor and abdomen which help connect your body together. This is safe, gentle strength training.
5) Rocking increases circulation: It does this by sending more oxygen to our joints, which reduces inflammation and reduces pain. (And all you need is five to ten minutes to feel the effect.) Rocking also engages core abdominal and thigh muscles, which is key for suffers with lower back pain
6) Rocking burns calories: Rocking in a rocking chair apparently burns up to 150 calories an hour. Using a rocking chair is a great idea for those who are unable to work out regularly. It gets the blood flowing and acts a gentle exercise. While rocking back and forth may not be as intense as high-intensity interval training or weightlifting, it can still contribute to your overall calorie expenditure. The continuous movement engages your muscles, particularly your core, legs, and glutes, leading to a slight increase in energy expenditure.
How do you practice rocking
And it’s easy to do. In unison with your breath, gently rock your body back and forth. Aerial relaxation pods like hammocks which offer a similar regular movement. It’s otherwise known as neuro-rocking release therapy, a self-soothing exercise.
Research on Neuro Rocking
Studies have shown that rocking helps to self-regulate the brain state. It improves sleep, memory and focus as a result of releasing tension and inducing calmness within an overstimulated nervous system. Slower breathing associated with this exercise creates a psychological comfort and can help with pain management. It lengthens and contracts muscles at a fast pace. Just as it did when we were young, it mimics by soothing the body. In other words the nervous system lets go of the alarm making the brain feel calmer.
So you may feel self conscious, and silly but rocking yourself to health is easier than you think, just don’t try too hard and you will feel the results of the 6 benefits of rocking. This form of exercise is also known as Restorative Rocking and Neuro Rocking.
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