Let’s Decide on the Best Activity
Keeping physically active is the continuing advice we hear throughout our lives to maintain better health. It’s such a simple statement and repeated so often that it is easily dismissed. Since it is not a sparkly new thought, it is difficult to get engaged. Like a lot of folks I exercise and like the sport I spend most of my time engaged in. I have been an active swimmer for the majority of my life. It came easily to me when I was thrown into the water early, so I just kept on doing it. I know that it’s important to perform weight bearing exercises also, so I fit a couple of sessions in regularly, but they don’t feed my spirit. I got lucky and found my soulmate physical exercise by accident. Playing in the water has been an ordinary part of my life for as long as I can remember.
Achievement Activity
There are other schools of thought about how to choose your method of movement. For the competitive type, a sport that allows for measured improvement works well. Some of us like to master activities and enjoy a sense of accomplishment along the way. These could be physical activities like hiking, biking or running, but they could also be golf or pickleball. It doesn’t have to produce a lot of sweat and tears or pit us against the other participants unless we like that sort of thing. And you know if you like competition. Even with yourself.
Meaningful Activities
Family or friendly games work well if you like the social aspects of movement. A game of wiffleball, softball or volleyball brings out that team spirit and creates a sense of purpose for the whole group to elevate the experience. Family games help everyone feel welcome and neighborhood games bring together those who might only have the usual chance to smile and wave at each other. Walking in groups makes friendships bloom and decreases the loneliness that occurs when we live in a community but don’t have communication with those nearby.
Uplifting Activities
Enjoyable, meaningful, physical or social activities build bonds. These invisible webs are the unexpected positive side effects of getting physical in groups. They are also beneficial individually because you can lose yourself in fun instead of dwelling on any negative thoughts that are swirling around in your head. Automatically increasing your social interactions provides an easy way to make new friends and that is always a difficult project in a busy world. Starting a group lets everyone begin together and get past that beginner status to leverage the activity while increasing experience. You know you need to be active. You know you want to have some fun. Good mental and physical health isn’t reserved for anyone special; it is out there waiting for all of us.
What excuses are you using not to get physical? If you know that your physical and mental health would improve with activity, what more do you need to think to get started? How many excuses can you make up for not moving your ordinary body?
