About This Lesson
As routines settle and the season begins to change, October is an ideal time to stay active and connected through joyful movement. Incorporating Movement for Happinesshelps students, families, and communities manage stress, improve focus, and support overall wellbeing using movement as a tool for emotional regulation and happiness.
In this activity,students reflect on the ways they enjoy moving, then track their movement and mood over six weeks. By noticing how different activities like walking, dancing, or yoga affect their happiness, they learn to connect joyful movement with overall wellbeing.
Here’s what you’ll get:
- Printable six-week movement tracker and reflection sheet
- List of movement examples to inspire students
- Space to record weekly activities and mood outcomes
- Access to related lesson plans and unit study
Why you’ll love this activity:
- Encourages self-awareness and healthy routines through reflection
- Supports goal-setting and consistency in physical activity
- Flexible for different age groups and settings
- Reinforces the link between movement and happiness
Ways to Use:
- Integrate into SEL, health, or physical education lessons
- Use in counseling or small group sessions focused on wellbeing
- Encourage family participation with weekly movement goals
What is Movement for Happiness?
Movement for Happiness is a wellbeing practice that emphasizes the importance of joyful movement for mental and physical health. Engaging in joyful movement can immediately lift your mood, with no minimum amount of movement required to experience the positive effects. Over time, regular movement can lead to greater happiness and life satisfaction.
For autistic students, who are often less physically active, integrating daily movement breaks and reflections can be a powerful way to boost physical wellbeing and happiness. This wellbeing skill offers tools and strategies to help educators, students, and staff start incorporating movement into their lives and teaching others to do the same, promoting happiness both inside and outside the classroom.
Science of Movement for Happiness
Movement has been known to trigger the release of endorphins, the brain's "feel-good" hormones. These hormones promote mental health and mood enhancement, famously referred to as the "runner's high." Recent research has revealed that muscles also play a vital role in mood regulation. The benefits of regular movement include:
- Higher levels of happiness
- Enhanced mood and immune function
- Improved sleep quality and duration
- Better cognitive and behavioral functioning
- Increased social inclusion and overall wellbeing for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Looking for more Movement for Happiness Resources?
Explore the free Movement for Happiness Unit Study, which includes teaching slides, additional worksheets and activities, and even IEP and BIP recommendations tailored specifically to students with autism.
Proof Positive’s resources are and will always be free. Be well!
Bonus access to full lesson plans and unit studies on the skills of happiness at our Skill Center
