Yes... It is Wednesday the 1st of November... really! and here I am in the changing room.
I am hoping a few folk pop in and say hello and share a few ideas as we sit and relax.
There is so much going on with all of us right now... and I know from reading your posts that many, many of you are using some of our shared exercises to support your chosen main exercise.
We have had lots of posts on here and lots of chats and discussion about how we can work on strength and stamina , recover from illness or injury and just enhance our performance in whatever ways we are able.
What we may be neglecting sometimes though, ( although I know there are past posts on here about this), is the way we need maybe, to exercise our mind too... within our other exercise?
I'm not just thinking solely, about mindfulness here, and not just the huge impact exercise has on our well being... but more, how we can exercise our mind to support our exercise.
I am not going to go into massive detail here, because I think it may be interesting, to throw a few ideas out and see what we get back?
But:
There are so many ideas out there... that supposedly, help keep our mind fit, and there is, also much discussion about the type of activities which do this and how beneficial they are.
We all know that exercising our body keeps us physically strong...well it figures that if we workout with our mind, then that has to be good too, doesn't it?
When I was researching ideas for this post,. I did discover that there are also, brain boosting exercises out there, including,
* Aerobic exercise... ( especially beneficial for the over 70s)!
* Weight training
* Yoga
* Tai Chi
* Dancing
All this is great, because we have so many links to these kinds of exercises right here! CBDB has just posted anew Yoga one!
Now, I wonder if I am right in thinking that we all doing a bit of mind exercise at some time?
I know that over the past few weeks, I have spent a heck of a lot of time using all sorts of exercises for my mind...freezing it, so that my body could get on with the exercise it needed so badly!
One of the main exercises I use, is a really easy and obvious one.
I simply breathe... I stop, and I focus on my breathing... I do directional or baby breathing and that is a deep belly breath... great for releasing any tension and for just bringing you back. I feel many of you know how many different types of breathing there are...and YWA has sessions on many of them.
One of my favourites too, when all my issues that were keeping me from physical exercise, was the stop.... feel, hear and smell.. Three things you can feel, three you can hear and three you can smell. Focuses you wonderfully.
I do my regular, simple exercise routines each morning, but had not really thought about the fact that I do mind ones too... I wake up and in my head, is a mantra for the day... nope, not slow and steady... although that is a constant, but something very positive... this morning... ? “Take each day as it comes”. I have loads of others... and yes, they really help. I do start the day, even before I am up and about, with a positive thought in my head. The physical stuff follows
So...is there anyone out there with any mind exercises which they use for whatever reason, to support their other exercise?
I am looking forward to seeing some of you later .
Oldflossx
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Oldfloss
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Trying desperately hard to stay positive at the moment, but health and other issues conspiring against. I managed ten minutes of stretching this morning, and I did five minutes for my shoulder yesterday. That's been it this week!
Hello and very well done you...just gentle stretches... Have you seen the Yoga for Sickness session Adriene does... it is very , very gentle... and can be tweaked...
Exercise the mind... it is relaxing and will impact later, I feel sure... x
Hi OF.. I've paused running for the last 3 weeks due to knee injury. Instead I've been using my pedal bike which is low impact, also swimming but the sea is not quite so enticing with cold wind on shore. For my brain distraction I've gone back to bee ringing after a 23 years sabbatical! Learning new methods is like learning a new language...very good exercise for brain muscle!
Bell ringing... wow, now there is an exercise if ever there was one ! Wow and yes, great for the mind. Any involvement exercises, where we focus hard are so beneficial apparently!
Sea dipping, wonderful, but yes, that cold wind can be really chilling... Huge well done you... working the mind as well as the body!
It's all about insuring my future! When I can't run or play tennis any more,at least I can stand in a church tower and ring bells.....as long as it's a ground floor ring!
I’m still not running, I will start again when I feel the time is right, my body will know and tell me.
But for now, I’m focusing on the things I can do…like walking when I can and taking care not to overdo things. Trying to find a balance is sometimes tricky but as long I take a day’s rest in between then I should be ok.
I’m also aiming to use my exercise equipment more at home and have ordered a shiny new aerobic step platform so that I can start doing some old school step aerobics! Can’t wait to get started with some beginners workouts.
I have quite a collection of equipment in my home gym now that I have no excuse for using it! The elliptical and vertical climbing machine are low impact so are great to use when my feet hurt from walking. I just need to motivate myself sometimes, give myself a good talking to and a kick up the bahookie!
I, too, have a wake up mantra every morning…I try to focus on the fact that I’m healthy and able to get up each morning and face the day ahead. I do my morning stretches and Tibetan rites and thank myself for being patient with me and give myself lots of positive energy to get through the day, especially more so if I’m struggling with fatigue or bowel issues. If I’m not kind to myself then no one else will be and I always try to practise self love whenever I can. I’ve come a long way in 7 years and continue to get stronger every day, in body and in mind.
Little by little I’ll be able to do a bit more and build up my exercises and daily activities.
I’m thankful and grateful every day that I’ve been given a second chance at life and try to embrace it with both arms open wide and stay positive that everything will work out the way it’s supposed to.
Speaking of keeping the mind fit, I find that I automatically always count my steps when I’m waking, it’s something I’ve done for a good while and when I get to 100 steps I start over from 1. I also count how many times I stir my tea after adding sugar and milk!
I love listening to music and dancing like no one is watching, I put my earbuds in and just let my hair down! It feels great and boosts my mood and I’ve always got a song stuck in my head in a loop 🎶 music is my favourite escape from reality, it’s been my saviour many times. Sometimes I recline on my comfy couch, put some music on, close my eyes and just let my mind drift away and flow with my thoughts…just fantastic!
Loads of positives here and loads of tips for many of us to take on board...Being kind to yourself...to ourselves, is something we should all work at... If we don't do it then the path becomes uncertain.
Building up is the way... and taking it as it comes... some days.... good.... some...not so much, but they have to be accepted too and it is okay to feel down or not on form and simply adapt and know that there will be good days again.
I am a counter too... teeth cleaning.... door lock checking...and my runs!
You are going to love my Christmas dance workouts and I know you will be feeling stronger by then too! Music is a release... my writing and painting give me that feeling you get with your music... losing yourself to find yourself...
Thanks for this... I hope folk will read and take note ! xxx
I went to bed early last night, after reading your reply I fell asleep with a smile on my face (probably) and happy for a change! Early bed and early rise this morning, I’m feeling refreshed!
I’ve done my stretches and Tibetan rites, also 40 sumo squats and I’ve just put a washing on…so I’m very on the ball this morning! Amazing what a good nights sleep does and having fully charged batteries!
Oh I so cannot wait for your Christmas dance workouts! Ok, maybe I can, but I can’t wait! 😆 really looking forward to them! 🖤🥰🖤
Actually, I’m going to do a wee dance workout today…it’s my new aerobic step delivery day so I’m all excited about that 👏 today is good day for me already! I’m doing my HappyDance! Happy HappyDance! 💃
Sorry for the late reply... a very hectic day yesterday. I am glad that you woke happier and refreshed... and my goodness, you got those exercises done too!
How did your new dance workout go? Did your step come too! Gosh I cannot wait for an update.. !
I only did my crazy dancing yesterday and that was enough of a workout for me!
Yes indeed my new step arrived yesterday, I posted about here on S&F, got some comments to reply to! I looked up some beginner basic step videos last night to familiarise myself with them again and I’ll be doing an old school workout on Monday so I’ll have an update for that soon 🤗
I didn’t sleep well last night so not feeling as refreshed as yesterday and got a bit of an upset tummy…I’ve had to cancel my walk and dinner with G today as I’m just not feeling up to going…it is what it is, just need to listen to my body and so what’s best by me!
I hope you’ve had a less hectic day so far, you must get so many messages to reply to every day!
Hi Oldfloss, what an interesting post it certainly got me thinking.I've been struggling to get back into regular running and exercise patterns it seems to be two steps forward and one back. But I'm sure I'll get back eventually.
I really like mantras and often use them while running and occasionally on days when I'm feeling low but not on a regular basis but perhaps I'll give it a go. I really agree with you about the breathing I sometimes stop while walking my dog and just listen, close my eyes and take a few deep breaths ... Wonderful 😊
So this week I've been doing several rounds of the Sun Salutation before going down stairs each morning. I love the sequence because it works lots of areas and also can be a really mindful exercise if you link each movement to your breath
I've always been a worrier, but a couple of years ago I downloaded Medito, which is a free meditation app, and it has really helped me out worries to one side, not always but it's definitely helped me. For anyone interested in mediation or mindfulness Is definitely recommend it.
For the last few of winters I've tried to have some sort of project to keep me busy. Last year was learning embroidery stitches and completing a cushion. This year's I've got two .. attempting to learn to knit and researching my family tree. All these are things that will keep my brain active and learning new skills are especially good.
The final thing that certainly had helped me this year is each evening writing down what I've been grateful for during my day.
This is interesting... and you did get at least one step forward... positive thought
The mantras can help, i really believe that. They do have power and can motivate and also rescue... they can pull you back to clear focus, even in an anxious situation. Linked with your deep breaths... gosh, that has to be something that invigorates and strengthens?
The Sun Salutation... Yes! Thank you for this... I have neglected this one a lot ! I need to do this one today!
You too, as CBDB is, are doing exactly the right things to keep that mind active and as a result impact your physical health! Productive engagement... that is what it is described as.. learning a new involvement skill!
Embroidery... yes... I gifts there too for folk) . New skill for this year... knitting... eeekkk... I am not a knitter ... and Family tree,,, that sounds so wonderful... I wonder if you will turn up any surprises there !!!
The writing, I am really with you there... and doing what you do, sounds like a perfect positive way to end your day. A productive day and grateful thanks. Recipe for a peaceful night's rest?
I enjoy doing morning pages when I can... It's like journalling but you just write whatever comes, it's not formal and posh... I had stopped but have got back into them again the last few months and find them really helpful... Also I use a gratitude app (365Gratitude) that has a prompt every day and then you write three things you are grateful for.
Love this... it sounds just ideal and the jottings are priceless... because they are instinctive and not processed. I have a jotter and pencil by my bed...and like you...in those thoughts go.
I have not heard of that app. It sounds really helpful and if you begin with positivity and a grateful mind...then that surely means anything else you do, will be approached in a better mind set!
Fab nudge to think about what we do to keep our mind at peace.
I do love starting new projects that include learning skills or new ways of doing things. And any challenge that is thrown my way (work, health, fitness), my mind often turns them into opportunities for gaining more knowledge about myself, us him and or the world. This works well for me, and keeps me motivated despite my heath condition, which can get me down at times.
Since a couple of years I’ve started journaling again, and keep a fitness / health journal and just reflecting on a past week, or jotting down future aspirations and plans, whilst doodling creatively with my favourite pen … it’s valuable me time.
You are doing exactly what some of the research about mind exercise says ! Involvement is the key to keeping mind and body fit... the jury is out on mind games and puzzles etc... Age UK has some interesting comments on this.
Productive engagement, which is what you describe with your learning skills, or finding new ways of doing stuff, seems to have a fair few benefits ! New challenges too, yes, you are right,,, and furthering that into finding out mire and using them as an opportunity, not a barrier.
Journaling is great... I have done it for years and years,,, and it is beneficial for mind and body ! Thanks for this ! and well done you!
Love this! One of my favourite exercise classes is Zumba and that’s a massive workout for my brain as well as my body. The thing I really like is being able to think about nothing else while I’m there and not having my phone accessible. The best stress buster! I feel the same when I swim (no phone!!) but like running, it’s great processing time for anything that’s been running around my head!
Hello! I know you really enjoy your Zumba class ! I have never done one, so this is interesting... Losing yourself in the exercise, has got to be beneficial ? No contact with the outside world... focus on what you are doing.
Being in a situation where you are not able to have a phi=one? I wonder how many of us do make a time when we actively turn our phone off or leave it behind...?
I know when I paint, I do not have my phone beside me... but it is within hearing distance...
Running and swimming, yes, time to sort things out !
Getting lost in exercise is just brilliant. Plus, there’s the chat with the others in the class before and afterwards. It’s completely different to running but I love it. I’m close enough to walk (or run if I’m late!) so phone-free is a real bonus.
I’m far too attached to my phone most of the time. Even if I’m supposedly immersed in something else, I’d it’s nearby I still think about it. When I’ve had a tight deadline, I’ve had to leave it at home and work in a cafe. Running is always have it with me for safety, and it’s often useful for maps when I’m out and about, but maybe I need to actively think about cutting down again. I’d never check my phone in a real Pilates class but poor old Adriene has me looking at emails all the time!
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