Muscles & Mindfulness: Exercise as Rebellion
Evolve or Evaporate: Exercise Your Right to Upgrade
“People with a strong physical constitution can tolerate extremes of hot and cold; people of strong mental health can handle anger, grief, joy and the other emotions.” -Epictetus
To begin this JoySprout exercise, choose a form of physical activity that you enjoy and can realistically integrate into your daily or weekly routine, such as walking, running, swimming, yoga, or weightlifting. Then take time today to do the exercise.
Before you begin, take a moment for introspection. Describe your current mental state. Are you feeling stressed, energized, or tired?
On a scale of 1 to 10, rate your current energy levels and mood.
During your exercise, pay close attention to your body's sensations, notice your breathing, the engagement of your muscles, and any other physical sensations that arise.
What do you see? Challenge yourself to push your limits slightly. Increase your pace, add an extra repetition, or hold a pose for a longer duration.
As you push yourself, observe your mental state. Do you experience resistance, determination, or something else entirely?
Tune into your thoughts and feelings as you exercise. Are your thoughts racing, or can you focus on the present moment?
Notice how physical exertion impairs mood and the ability to concentrate. After completing your exercise, reassess your mental state.
Once again, rate your energy levels and mood on a scale of 1 to 10. How have they changed since you started?
Describe the connection you observed between your physical exertion and your mental state. Did the exercise reduce stress, improve your mood, or increase your energy levels?
Spend some time thinking about how discipline in physical exercise can translate into discipline in other areas of your life. Consider a specific example of how you can apply the lessons you've learned through physical activity.
Based on your experience, create a plan for prioritizing physical activity in your life moving forward. What adjustments might you need to ensure consistency?
Finally, reflect on how you perceive the relationship between physical resilience and mental resilience, and how strengthening one can enhance the other.
As I use to say to the kids and now I say to the grandkids "you better use your noodle before it turns to strudel."