Do Something Different

I’ve been thinking a lot about joy and happiness lately; when we lose them, how we find them; where we find them; how their sensations are magic and help us heal time and again. And with that, insert exercise and movement. The reality is, as much as I love to workout, there are plenty of activities I don’t enjoy. So, what do I do? I mix and match gyms, I audible classes, and choose movement that I do enjoy. Because as I’ve written on plenty, I deeply believe in the benefits that movement is to our minds, our souls, and bodies. I’ve relied on that. I live that. This simple plan prompted me to write a bit more. Perhaps you’ll find this to be a valuable reminder.

Often, we get stuck feeling like we have to do this one workout, a specific class, a particular activity to move. 

We don’t. 

If you genuinely don’t enjoy yourself when you’re working out and moving your body – (let me first differentiate and separate “don’t enjoy” because its challenging versus simply don’t enjoy a specific activity — I’m writing to the latter), I mean, if you truly aren’t enjoying the exercise activity you’re choosing, (where you are, who you’re with, how you’re moving your body)

DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

There is no playbook on how we have to move our bodies; but there is one rule: 

WE HAVE TO MOVE OUR BODIES.

So find ways to move your body that feel good; find people to move with that make you feel good—that make you smile in the heat of your hardest grind; find a place to move in-and-around that makes you comfortable to just be, there — moving • your • body. 

Exercise is not meant to make us miserable; in fact, scientifically it does the exact opposite. But like all else in life, it is our responsibility to position ourselves in an environment that feels good (the happy) and that is good (the joy) to— and for — each of us. 

That’s all.

 

🤸🏼‍♀️Now for the fun fact reminders:

exercise & movement increase endorphins, dopamine, adrenaline and endocannabinoid -- these are all brain chemicals associated with feeling happy, feeling confident, feeling capable, feeling less anxiety and stress and even less physical pain leading to a feeling of well-being.

Melissa, The Buzz