Stress Reduction
I have always hated running. I did dance and gymnastics my entire life, but when you asked me to run the track in gym class... forget it. I hated it. I thought that it was the silliest thing. To just run? Where is the fun in that? But I guess now that I am 22 and I am not as active as I was during grade school, I must try something. Dance classes are a bajillion dollars, and considering a gymnastics career is basically over the day you turn 18, I have to do something to keep me in shape. So I strapped on my running shoes and began to just run through my neighborhood. Ha, well that was an experience. I remember exactly why I hate running... because I stink at it! Yet, I must just do it in order to keep in shape. So every single say I have been putting aside just about 45 minutes to get a little jog in. It has been three weeks now and I feel SO MUCH BETTER! It relieves so much stress that if I don't take my small, daily jog then I feel tired and kind of depressed. After I take a run, (might I remind you, it is not a strenuous sprint, just a light run), I feel absolutely amazing. I feel cleansed from all of my stressors for the day. I have a clear head to just think about what I want to accomplish next and how I am going to do it. I'm not sure if I get anything spiritual out of it... yet.. but I definitely feel better mentally, physically, and emotionally. It is like taking medicine to relieve your brain of stress and anxiety. I feel great! I don't think I will ever be a marathon runner, but I definitely want to incorporate this lovely jog into my everyday life. :)
I hate running too! So i play sports in order to change my running into something fun. i get my cardio and i don't dread doing it. Definitely elevates your mood. I know i'm out of it when i dont exercise for the day.
ReplyDeleteYeah I never really got into running unless it was for a sport. When I tried running I also felt like I was not good at it. That's good that your committed and consistent with it! Amazing how something we don't like at first can make us feel so good! The benefits you describe sounds great! We all experience some stress and anxiety so any way to relieve that is invaluable!
ReplyDeleteWow, that's great Jamie! I could really relate when you said you always hated running. haha, I still do! I just can't. I feel like I was never made to run. I was in varsity soccer in high school, and we did a lot of running! Yes, I was more conditioned to where I could run for a while without feeling like I have to pass out, but I haven't been in any sports that had to do with running in a LONG time! :/ The thought of starting that process all over again conditioning makes me cringe! :( So kudos to you for actually doing it! I think that's great!
ReplyDeleteRunning is an excellent stress reliever!! I'm glad that you feel a lot better after running and are keeping it up, GOOD JOB Jamie. :)
ReplyDeleteBeing a retired gymnast myself I knew that when I was done I needed to keep up my endurance so I started treadmill running, through out the years of injury I struggle to run on pavement but I hope to accomplish that goal through training.
ReplyDeleteRunning, once you get into it is great for relieving stress! I'm so glad you found something to not only keep you in shape but to clear your head as well. I think putting aside time for you each day is really important in keeping a healthy attitude. Awesome Jamie!
ReplyDeleteKeep it up! Proud to see you try at something you once thought you could never accomplish. I have always been envious of runners because I am never able to run coninuously for more than five minutes even though I am in decent shape. This gives me more motivation to give running another try.
ReplyDeleteI actually like running by the beach and watching sunset. It makes me feel happy and reduces my stress. You are right, dance classes are pretty expensive and since we can get free exercise why pay for it?!
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