I used to roll my eyes when people talked about their run being ‘their time’. My love-hate relationship with exercise is not something that magically disappeared the first time I put on my running shoes and finished a run. If there has been a gap in consistency I always find it hard to get back into the groove. Once I am there, the benefits are hard to ignore. I am recently back at my weekly ParkRun and have a Funrun event planned for this month. When I get to this point I wonder why I stopped for so long.
During 2021 I got into the habit of a run after work on a Friday night. At the end of July I decided that I need to ensure good self care, and started my own version of a 90 day challenge. Three habits daily for 30 days, then review, then set goals for the next 30 days. I use a planner from Migoals because I like to tick things off a list and get the little dopamine rush.
Recently I recalled one of those Friday night runs in lockdown. After a busy week it was hard to put the shoes on and get out in the Canberra weather. It is normally dark and cold by the time I got home, dinner was ready and I really wanted to sink onto the couch and watch TV. However… I had set my goals and I wanted to meet them. This night one of my daughters joined me for the run. She normally plays sport and at the time her training sessions were cancelled. On the run we started talking about exercise as a time for ourselves. She talked about how she feels when she is at her training sessions. She described it as her time for herself, she gets to run around with her friends, make jokes with her coach. She volunteers for her club, and has made some wonderful friends. I was surprised that she described it being her time when she doesn’t need to feel guilty about not being productive and studying.
We finished our run/walk (those hills are tough) and walked home. I felt like the stress of the day had been left behind. I felt a sense of achievement that I had ticked off my exercise goal for the day. I had a little buzz of endorphins. I felt really happy. There is good evidence for the benefits of exercise for depression and anxiety (see the link below), it is good for our heart, it is good for our head.
While we were in lockdown we were ‘allowed’ to get 60 minutes of exercise outdoors each day. It became an entitlement, something to be valued and look forward to. It was important. After we came out of lock down the entitlement sensation faded, and I noticed that I was out less, and when I was out, that there were fewer people on the trails. The feeling was different when I was putting my shoes on. After a while the running dropped off. It had lost its value, even though the benefit remained. It took me a little while to find it again.
If you are new to exercise and trying to find the motivation I recommend finishing your exercise by spending a moment writing down how you felt while exercising and how you feel after. It helps to consolidate the feeling in your mind. When it does to the next time holding that feeling in front of your goals is a great motivation tool.
If you would like to read more about the benefits of exercise for mental health, The Conversation has a great piece that includes a link to a Ted Talk that is worth the watch. Greater Good in Action also some good mindfulness practices that use walking as a tool.
If you would like to give ParkRun a go https://www.parkrun.com.au is where you register, find your local run and have some fun.
Dr Kerrie Aust 