The world is not being kind to us right now.
(You might argue that it never has been.)
And that is why you should get up and go for a walk right after reading this.
Why exercise helps
There are two reasons to exercise when your thoughts are spiraling out of control.
One is for the benefits it may bring to the rest of your day and to your long-term health.
Exercise tends to use up nervous energy, calm our brains down, and promote better sleep.
Exercise isnt a cure-all, and some people dont get much of a mental health benefit from it.
But the other important reason is, I think, simply that it gives you something todo.
When Im running, I cant check my phone.
I told my friend this … he just shrugged and said, Just do it anyway.
Thats one whole hour where youre not depressed.
This seemed like a good bargain.
Or even beingslightly lessanxious?
I skimmed that essay in September 2020.
The following month, I walked even more.
From November 3rd to 13th, every single day was over 11,000 steps.
I learned that Biden had won while I was walking one of my favorite trails.
I originally wrote this article you’re reading on January 7yes, the day afterthatJanuary 6.
That all happened about four years ago, but the lesson remains.
The specifics change, but the principle remains.
During particularly stressful times, I find that the amount of exercise I do expands.
I call it my “anxiety cardio.”
You would have thought I was discovering electricity.
I could just go and make the best part of my day twice as long?
you’re free to, you really can.
What you do on your walk or run or other form of exercise is up to you.
I love hiking or running through nature, but my neighborhood streets are closer and more time-efficient.
I pick the quietest streets and loop through them.
The best part of your day awaits.
