Quantum Happiness Series- Exercise for Energy
My older family members always referred to,
“taking exercise,” in the same way we now refer to taking medication.
Naturally, I thought they were just out of touch with modern language.
But, as usual, I’ve come to realize how accurate this phrase is. When we take
exercise as if it’s a prescription, we get health benefits that rival if not
surpass modern medicine.
For example, I have trouble with my right
knee. Since we live in a converted barn loft, my knees must be in good working
order. So, I’ve learned that if I run at least one mile, on a soft track, twice
a week, my knee doesn’t hurt. Since I detest pharmaceuticals and want to avoid
surgery at all costs, I make it a point to take my exercise and keep my knees
healthy.
Photo by Patrick Malleret on Unsplash
Just do it
So, schedule exercise. It can come in any form
you desire, from cross-fit training to strolling along a nature trail. Just get
moving. Since I like variety and have
trouble committing to a single form of exercise, I run twice a week, but the other
three to five days I mix it up with cross training, rebounding, biking, hiking,
yoga, Pilates, and Qi Gong. Having several options makes exercise both a
challenge and a choice every day.
Find your form
Whatever your chosen workout, posture and breathing
are critical. So before beginning take a moment, get grounded, focus your
breathing, stand up straight, and dedicate the time to exercising with
intention. Are you sitting with slumped shoulders in front of a computer, or is
your head hanging over a cell phone?
If so, stand up, stretch, and notice your
posture.
·
Stand with your feet slightly apart.
·
Keep hips and shoulders in alignment.
·
Pull your shoulders up toward your ears then release them down.
·
Imagine a string pulling you taunt through the top of your head.
o
Not the crown, the top.
·
Relax your shoulders and breathe out slowly 1,2,3,4…
·
Then breathe in deeply 1,2,3,4…
· Repeat. Slowly.
In addition to improving mood and attitude, good posture promotes blood flow and enhances memory. So, before beginning exercise, take a moment to align your spine and set your intention to exercise mindfully.
Get the blues
Since the signature color of ennui, is gray, discourage it by pairing
exercise with time outside a.k.a. blue or green spaces.
“Increased views of blue and
green spaces are associated with significantly lower levels of psychological
distress,” according to Michigan State University Professor Amber Pearson.
I’ve always known that instinctively, but it’s nice to have
it confirmed by academia. Now when I take a “mental health day” at the beach,
it’s not just a catchy phrase but an actual prescription.
How to make exercise fun
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