If you are one of the many adults who is dealing with your everyday life and stresses, let me remind you of something you already know. This is a case of “it worked so well, I quit doing it”. Think back to a workout you had one time, that was unbelievably exhausting but yet you felt great when it was done. On that day, you probably walked out of your workout feeling a little high from knowing you burned a gazillion calories, strengthened your core, improved some skills and basically performed really well.
That feeling you had of pride and accomplishment was enhanced by the Endorphins you experienced after working out so hard.On days when you are completely overwhelmed with non-stop work or just life in general, it is important to take a moment to remember that workout. Actually walk yourself through what you did that day and how you felt at the end of the workout. Remember what you felt like, maybe dripping in sweat. Remember what other people, around you, said that day.
Remember what the atmosphere smelled like. Remember the last thing you did before you left the workout. When you do this mental exercise, a few things happen. You get a little bit of the joy and pride you felt on that day. You lose your stress and busy day for just a few minutes. You find yourself working on a solution to get back to that great feeling and that great workout. You may even be able to make a miserable day a lot more tolerable.
This exercise is not about guilt. It is not about feeling bad while you are traveling and not able to get to that place where your memory lies. It is about looking towards the memory and visualizing the strength you had in that moment. It is also about finding temporary solutions and realizing that each step in that direction is putting you in a better place. If you do nothing, then you gain nothing. If you take steps to go outside and have a brisk walk or take the steps in the hotel or walk the airport until your flight boards, you have done something. Use those moments to focus on getting back to that memory and feeling that moment of success and pride in yourself.
