On Staying Active
To say a huge chunk of my free time (pre-covid) was spent either lifting weights at the gym or at some dance / hot yoga studio is an understatement. Cardio itself was nothing but an act of self-discipline - a chore; a nagging voice with a finger pointing towards what I “should” do on rare occasion. In an unexpected turn of events, I’ve recently discovered a newfound love for running! All bodies need daily movement, and of course, everyone inevitably works out for vanity reasons. But for me especially, staying physically active serves as mental clarity and emotional catharsis, keeping me grounded. Going on pre or post-work jogs has not only been a chance to get fresh air outside, but also helps me steer away from emotional binge eating and incessant, mindless snacking. I also feel like my body composition (excuse me while I sound like an old lady) is progressing towards more flexible joints and knees, ironically.
Linked below are some of my favorite Apps and Podcasts:
Nike Run Club - Hold your runs accountable by tracking your time, pace, calories burned, avg mile time, etc. You can unlock achievements and just be part of the Nike running community. Also because it’s Nike, the interface is automatically sleek and cool.
Sweatcoin - Count your daily steps and rack up $$ while you’re at it!
Optimal Health Daily - Listen to great tips from health and wellness experts - not to mention each episode is only around 10-15 minutes.
If you’re in the mood for a quick HIIT workout or yoga at any level, my favorite fitness gurus are Krissy Cela and YogawithAdrienne!
On Staying Sane
Phone a loved one or even a colleague often. Utilize peak productivity hours, which for me is the early AMs - iced oat milk latte in hand, ready to conquer today’s to-do list (which I write out daily). It also helps to have a set structure and schedule in place, in fact, you can even take it one step further and allocate specific hours you plan to spend on a certain work deliverable, workout, or creative endeavor.
What’s an idea you’ve always wanted to bring to fruition? There’s no better time than now to start a YouTube channel, try different recipes, and hone in on hobbies you enjoy being fully immersed in. I’d say one of the most gratifying feelings of productivity is getting lost in a “flow state.” For me, I’ve found that creative flow to be frequent when reading, writing, or editing in any form.
Above all else, keep in mind that nothing in life is permanent, which in this case, is soothing.
I know we’ll look back and find the silver linings.
Cheers to better days ahead, xo