Leadership Skills

Fun, Exercise, & Play

Taking care of yourself requires you to also keep your muscles (including your brain) healthy and in shape. Too often when things get chaotic, we forget to breathe deeply; we definitely forget to have fun. When was the last time that you played?

There is a strong connection between happiness and your body. Take a moment to think about the things (outside of work) that make you happy. Here a few to get you thinking; however, these are mine, so you need to find your own.

• Walking in nature
• Walking on the beach with my shoes off
• Taking photos
• Getting up early to have a quiet cup of coffee
• Cuddling
• The sound of running water
• Playing games with friends
• Watching a silly movie
• Clouds in the sky
• Sunrises and sunsets

Why Exercise

According to the Mayo Clinic, there are definitely benefits to exercising regularly:

• Exercise will help you control your weight. Thinking about nutrition and calories, if you eat the same number of calories you burn, your weight will remain the same. If you burn more calories than you eat, you will lose weight. That means that the more calories you burn up with exercise (or just having fun), the more calories you may eat each day without gaining weight.
• Regular exercise will improve your health and decrease chance of disease. Exercise increases the "good" cholesterol and decreases the "bad" triglycerides, and both of those improve your blood flow. That's definitely positive.
• You can improve your mood. Whether you are taking out your aggressions with a good workout or daydreaming with a brisk walk, after 30 minutes, you will feel better. Getting physical works your brain, too.
• You will have more energy. Exercise will work your muscles, and that will allow you to go throughout your day with your body being more efficient. Increased blood flow brings more oxygen to your body.
• You may sleep better. As long as you do not exercise right before bed, regular exercise will improve your sleep.
• You may energize your sex life. (Really, this is from the Mayo Clinic, so go there to read about it.)
• You might even have fun. If you choose a physical activity that you enjoy (such as walking or dancing), then you will have fun. Do not choose an activity that you dislike, because then you will not stay with it.

Where are Fun and Play?

You can combine exercise with fun and play, if you participate in the physical activities you enjoy. If you have not already done so, go back and make a list of the activities that bring you pleasure. If you have no activities that require physical activity, then start expanding your comfort zone. Is there something you have always wanted to do, but you were unwilling to take the risk? If so, maybe now is the time.

Back to the analogy of your body as a vehicle. If you are giving your body the proper fuel (nutrition), you also want to make sure that the systems are working properly. Those systems would be your muscles and veins. Take the time to take care of yourself!