SYBF Week 5 Wrap Up: Brain Body Connection
I cannot believe we have completed our five-week challenge already. We have covered a lot of ground: inspecting and shaping our mental messages, developing and starting growth plans, and strengthening our brain-body connections to refresh our mental states and capacities. Before you get too sad that it’s all over, I have good news:
We have a bonus sixth week focusing on Gratitude.
[Pause for applause]
To recognize and thank you for your engagement, participation, investment in yourself, and all the reflections and stories you shared with me, it felt right to end with a bonus week of Gratitude.
But let us not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s bring closure to week 5: Building our Brain-Body Connections.
A couple of months ago, when I started developing this series, I recognized that I needed a little push to activate and elevate my brain health. I committed to eating a cleaner diet and exercising at least 45 minutes daily. The exercise has taken many forms, with my plan including weekly 1-2 pilates or yoga practice days, 1-2 fast walks with some light jogging, and walking outside or on my desk treadmill while completing work or coursework.
Three weeks ago, when heading out for a walk, I felt particularly strong and committed to slowly jogging a 5k (3.1 miles). I was delightfully surprised when I finished in 42 minutes. Not bad!
A week later (two weeks ago), I felt my body wanting a push. I would try a light jog again. I was stunned when I completed a 5K (3.1 miles) in under 38 minutes this time.
And just a week later, I really shocked myself by recording a 5K time of under 36 minutes (might have been right at 35, I was too winded to stop my watch on time).
Honestly, when I set out to increase my exercise to build my brain health, I had no intention of returning to running. I truly just wanted to get into a habit of exercising every day. By setting my intention and just starting without attachment to speed or intensity outcomes, I unexpectedly became a jogger again. Some days I literally walk at a very slow 2.0 MPH pace for 45-60 minutes while I work. I didn’t push hard every day and even when I had muscle fatigue I didn’t skip a day. I listened to my body each and every time and let it determine when it wanted a push and when it needed gentleness.
I think of my return to jogging as what Bob Ross would call a “happy little accident.”
I share my story not for bragging rights (and I fully welcome the applause). I share this as an example of the surprising bonuses we find when we set an intention, commit to engaging in our practices, maintain our commitment over time by using strategies that support us, listen to and accept our readiness for growth and the limitations we have at any given moment, and believe we are worth the investment.
You are worth the investment. You are worthy of living your life to the fullest. You are not required to be perfect, or reach your personal best each time you engage in something that helps you meet your goals.
Growth is not a straight line; it has ups and downs, like the stock market. The only way to true growth over time is to stick with it, even if just a little bit, through the peaks and valleys.
And speaking of not being perfect, it’s time for me to apply this strategy to flossing.
Says my hygenist and dentist once again at my most recent dental appointment.
