MINDLESS ACTIVITY CALMS STRESS

Doing an activity like weeding, organizing a closet or updating a hobby can bring a sense of calm and often accomplishment. When the mind can be calmed, it is a good thing. What makes an activity have this effect? Sometimes it is the concentration and putting one's thoughts aside. Sometimes it is just the involvement and focussing that brings the relaxation! Counting and sorting! Making piles! Putting things away! At the end of the event, there is a job well done. And cleaner corners of the house! Reduced clutter piles!

IS IT AN ACTIVITY OR EXERCISE?

My walk to work makes me think. Often busy people will say they do a lot of exercise but is it really just lots of activities? We credit independent old people with being able to perform the normal activities of daily living-ADLS. It means toiletting, dressing, washing, eating without assistance, things like that. The normal activities! But little kids do those things too and we would not consider them independent enough to live alone without help. We all perform many normal activities every day! I consider my walks to and from work exercise! The walking and climbing stairs at work I consider an activity of the job. For me, exercise is above and beyond the normal! Some activities burn calories and do help to build muscles. When does a little gardening-an activity become exercise. When  the muscles hurt? Perhaps when one goes at it for hours instead of a few minutes. Vacuuming is strenuous but is it exercise! My weight routine three times a week is exercise but is lifting a laundry basket, digging in the garden or dusting high places an activity or exercise. Dancing is a fun activity but it really is good exercise too! We are now being told that exercise will help with many areas of our lives- heart, reduce cholesterol, might help fend off Alzheimer's but is just lots of activities throughout the day equally as good? Keeping busy creatively, moving our bodies, getting off the couch could lead to more exercise! Does the heart rate need to increase to call it an exercise? Do we need to sweat? Do active people really do more exercise than inactive people? What is an active person? Some jobs take more activity throughout the day. A house painter performs an activity but is he really getting some good exercise? A teacher stands at the front of the classroom or bends over the student's desk, so what would we call it? A nurse may go up and down a hallway all day-so activity or exercise or just part of the job. Do feet have to ache to call it exercise? Or is it just not wearing proper footwear the culprit?  When can anyone brag that they do a lot of exercise? When one is busy? Normal activities will burn calories and build muscles. Not doing those activities can lead to muscle atrophy! People say they are always on the run! It does not make them a runner who could qualify for a marathon! So what do you think- activity or exercise? How do you fill your days?

SUMMERTIME AND THE LIVING IS EASY

Is such a wonderful phrase and feeling. People starting to go away, enjoying summer activities and just slowing down. For me, increasing my activity level is usual . On vacation this week and one goal is to power walk with my weights up the hill to the Library every day- 20 minutes, not a big deal. On track, two days, two walks! I see others bike riding, walking, jogging! And of course that low impact exercise- gardening! What will be the summer reading! Newspapers always have so many suggestions. But a good book by the lake, the beach, on the back porch is always a fine summer goal! I have a small pile of unread books- fiction and non-fiction I will attempt to read. It is more difficult to do indoor chores as the outdoors calls me. What do you love about the summer? What are you planning? Do you find the living easy?
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JUST DO IT!

Is a phrase made popular by a creative ad campaign of a major company. It says so much. We can procrastinate and put off things we need to do. But just do it, puts a fire under our butts to get started in the activity being avoided. Lately, I have been pushing myself to get some projects finished, some in process and start some new ones as well as planning for others. It feels great to be busy with activities that bring some satisfaction. Projects can be small-achievable in an hour, day, week or ones that need more time like a major writing project that require several drafts and reviews. I am finishing some small crochet and knitting crafts, making cards for special occasions, some spring cleaning and trying to find activities for the little grandchildren that visit. Of course photo opportunities! Are you avoiding getting started? Or are you using the change of season to review areas in your life? Start small so you can see some results! Scrapbook one page, take one picture, clean one drawer! You are on your way- You did It!