September 2022 is history, but it’s worth noting it was Self-Care Awareness Month. A self-maintenance reminder to be true to myself. It’s time for me to reset, recharge, and refocus. Why? Admittedly, I fell off the proverbial exercise wagon.
Resetting, recharging, and refocusing are typically goals during a new year, but a new season is a perfect opportunity for the fresh start I need.
As a midlifer, it’s not hard to find moments to focus on yourself. At this stage, I’m still gainfully employed in my 25th year at the same pharmaceutical company, married for 37 years, and have two adult children.
I recently read, “You owe yourself one hour a day of self-maintenance. It can include reading, writing, yoga, exercise, dancing, meditation, painting, or whatever, but you owe it to yourself. It’s manageable when you think it’s one hour, 1/24, of your day. That’s less than 5%. It matters; it does. Make it count “.
One hour a day seems manageable. Personally, that doesn’t always happen. My daily practice of regular walks and using my weighted hula hoop fell by the wayside when COVID-19 erupted in March 2020.
I am encouraged by the recent findings that at least 20 minutes of exercise is better than nothing. Are 20 minutes of exercise enough when the American College of Sports Medicine recommends 30 minutes?
What, if any, are the benefits of 20 minutes of exercise:
1. It’s energizing and helps to lower the stress hormone cortisol
2. Promotes the release of feel-good brain chemicals
3. Promotes a healthy brain (long-term)
4. Helps to relax and release some stress
With these four points, I need the benefits of 20 minutes of exercise to help jump-start my efforts; I know when practiced regularly, self-care creates personal, social, and economic benefits.
I haven’t gained weight, but my lack of regular exercise affected how my body looks, especially the abdominal area. Let me be an example of staying active so you won’t need to reset, recharge, and refocus.
As a side note, I’m grateful for my recent Q2 leadership award from my peers at AstraZeneca.
Thank you for stopping by The Age of Grace. I appreciate you.
