Like many of you, I have gone through moments that are less than desirable. I’ve been through bad break-ups, I didn’t pass the test, I’ve lost a loved one or I had a bad fight with a friend. It’s tough to find equilibrium within yourself when these moments arise, but one thing I’ve found that does work for me when it comes to coping with these moments is going for a run.
I remember one summer when I just wasn’t feeling great about anything in life. I had just graduated high school and wasn’t sure if I was going to college, I was the heaviest I’d ever been, and I was in a less than ideal relationship. I was discouraged with where my life was heading, and I just didn’t feel confident about anything. So I started to run. There was a park that I enjoyed going to and I decided to just start jogging around it every day. In three months time, I lost 40 pounds, I got a job, and although my relationship was still shaky, I did end up applying for, and attending, Aims Community College.
“Everything felt lighter”
When I was running I just felt free. It put my mind at ease, and I felt like I could breathe so much easier. My burdens no longer felt so heavy, in fact, everything felt lighter, and I assure you it will do the same for you.
I strongly encourage that if you hate running, don’t do it on a treadmill; You’ll find yourself burning out fast by looking down and checking the timer every 2 minutes. Instead, the trick is to find a park you enjoy going to. A lot of these parks have the walkway path distance labeled. It’s a lot easier to go from point A to point B than it is to run stationary for 30 minutes. But at least try and set a goal for a certain distance, start at one mile and then gradually increase the miles each week. A great playlist on your smartphone can also do wonders for your mental state while you run!
Give running a try if you’re finding yourself unsure of what your next step in life is; it should help you find some clarity.
This is a great post! I’ve had my ups and downs and when I feel down in the dumps, I like to do yoga and meditate. Exercising does help when you’re thinking too much or if you’re stressed. I have a Chihuahua and I love to walk/run with her at the park!
ReplyDeleteI haven't ever got into yoga or meditation but I've heard it works wonders as well. I love that you run with your chihuahua I don't think I've ever seen that before!
DeleteI have also gotten into running recently and used it to clear my mind. One of my favorite places to run in Greeley is Josephine Jones Park, but i'm always looking for new places. I'd be interested to see where you like to run! Maybe you could do a post about some of your favorite spots sometime!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite places to run is bittersweet park. It's not as nice right now because they've been doing a lot of construction, but the distance around the park is 1.2 miles which is why I still enjoy it.
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