Move for Yourself and for Others
To introduce this week’s topic, move with courage, I want you to answer this question honestly: Are you in your best shape (whatever that may look like for you)? If not, have you considered that being out of shape may not only be keeping you from achieving your goals but might also be affecting the quality of care that you’re giving your loved one?
I know those are difficult questions, but we all need to face them. Amidst all of our daily responsibilities, we may tell ourselves that our personal health is a lower priority than other goals. Yet, when we realize that our personal health plays a role in our ability to fulfill all those other responsibilities, it’s easier to commit to staying active and being the best version of ourselves that we can be.
Movement has always been important in my life. Growing up, I enjoyed swimming and synchronized swimming, and now I continue to move my body, in whatever way I can, with a goal of 10,000 steps per day. It’s my commitment to ME, an investment in my health and well-being.
Make a commitment to YOU, too. The first step is to find something you love that involves movement, and make it part of your daily routine. You don’t have to train for a marathon. Just move your body every day.
Here are three more tools to help you move with courage, inspired by these articles: How to Find Joy in Exercise, Does Exercising Regularly Take Courage?, and How to Use 20 Seconds of Courage to Do Hard Things.
FIND JOY IN MOVEMENT. Do something you love to do, and it won’t feel like one more thing you have to do! Joyful movement starts by noticing what your body needs, offers flexibility through choice, and celebrates the strength of your body and all that it can do!
MUSTER COURAGE. If movement of any kind feels daunting – or if it is painful or makes you feel vulnerable – then you'll want to gather all your courage to start, and to keep going when it feels hard. You’re a courageous caregiver, and you can do hard things. You can do this hard thing, too.
TAKE JUST 20 SECONDS. Mustering courage and facing your fears to start takes only 20 seconds. If you’re having trouble, take 20 seconds to notice what’s standing in your way of getting started. Focus on what you need and want to achieve. Give yourself a pep talk, and then GO for it!
Movement may feel like just one more hard thing to do. But it’s a commitment to do something for YOU and for OTHERS by strengthening your body, mind, heart, and soul, allowing you to better care for your loved one.