Sitting still is a problem. Well, at least for me.
relaxing should be simple, right?
I have a lot of energy and sitting in one place for more than an hour can be challenging. Sometimes, I wonder if I have ADD. But I digress…
I love running, biking, swimming and walking. Not only for the health benefits, but it helps me release extra energy. If I don’t exercise everyday folks start looking at me like I’ve had way too much coffee. Poor Logan has to deal with my antics at home.
For the past few weeks, I haven’t been able to run because of a cold and a slight knee injury. I’ve been day dreaming of doing aerobics in my cubicle or moving back to Davis to swim with DAM again. But, neither are feasible options.
Resting and taking care of your body is a good thing right? And rest should fit in perfectly with my simple living philosophy, right? This concept is problematic. If I don’t exercise all of my excess exuberance is bottled up and that isn’t healthy. So…
Taking up yoga and meditation have been on my mind lately because of the health benefits and running won’t be part of my routine for the next few weeks. After a two week break, I ran on Monday and felt pretty good, but I ran again today and my knees ached. I ended up walking around the park. But walking doesn’t give me a runner’s high and that is very unfortunate.
Thinking about the possibility of cutting running out of my daily routing makes me cry. I’m hoping yoga and walking will be good solutions, at least for the time being.
I’m curious to hear from you. Does anyone else have a hard time sitting still? And do you have a need for physical expression in order to relax? What is your strategy rowdy readers? I need some new ideas.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
i have this problem. i have to be engaged somehow. my perfect way is either sitting outside and reading a book / magazine or reading inside a closed room with music without words, while journaling my thoughts.
and, yoga can be relaxing or intense, but usually a mix of both. if i’m concentrated during a good yoga workout you can feel the endorphin high similar to a good swim workout, that is a total body feeling. i like practicing yoga with an instructor and other students. for me, it’s easier to stay focused while letting my mind relax.
Hey Pete – thanks for leaving a comment. I’m going to look into a few yoga program in Sac. I’ve starting doing a little bit of yoga on my own in the mornings. But I’d love to take some classes and connect with other folks.
tonight, i just listened to christopher mcdougall, writer of ‘born to run.’ he’s into “natural” and “minimalist” running. such as, concentrating and working on good form, much like in the sport of swimming. additionally, he’s into barefoot and vibram 5 foot running (with a gradual progression into it).
i found him very interesting. i feel like his book could be addicting; i just read the first few chapters, after buying it tonight. his four tenets are easy (and fun), then if possible: light, smooth, and fast.
anyway, it may help your recent running concerns.
If you can’t swim, can you at least float? I love floating in the water with my underwater mp3 player! Sooo relaxing.
I also have a hard time sitting still for any period of time and I am also a runner. I usually run 3-4 days a week, but due to a cold this week I have only run 1 day. I really notice a difference. I have too much energy, get easily frustrated, and feel jittery. If the rain stops long enough tomorrow, I am going to go for a run.
I took some Hot Yoga classes last year for stress relief and I really like them. I don’t feel they give my the same release of energy as running does though.
Good luck with the knee.
@Dawn – Thanks for leaving a comment. It’s good to know I’m not alone. A friend is taking hot yoga classes and I might attend a few. Hopefully, a few more weeks of rest will heal up my knee.
@Hayden – I’m looking into a few pool options here in Sacramento. Unfortunately all the public pools (near my apartment) close during the winter. I have seriously thought about moving back to Davis so that I can swim with the masters team again. Before we moved to Sac, swimming with the team was a huge part of my life. Giving that up was hard. So I focused more of my energies on running. But with running, I tend to get more injuries. It’s funny you mention floating in the water. There were a few of us on the team that used to do the same thing after hard workouts. It was the best and so relaxing. Swimming is like meditation for me. I need to find a pool! Hugs to you.
@Pete – Cool! I’ll have to check out McDougall’s book. I’m not sure if I could go barefoot and I have no idea what vibram 5 is. LOL. I’ll have to do some research on this concept tonight. I’m hoping the book will be in the library, if not I’ll bike out to Borders this weekend and buy it.
I didn’t think I had sitting-still-anxiety before, but lately I’ve been noticing it. I sit at my job all day long and don’t use my energy properly so I need to start something up too. Plus I’d REALLY love to lose a lot of weight. So that’s motivation in itself, right? I hope so. Let me know what works for you, besides running.
Marci – I’ll keep you posted on running alternatives. I’m hoping to take a few yoga classes and I’d like to start swimming again.
Sometimes I wish there were more hours in a day. I do love yoga but can’t find time to do it. If you have any suggestions for motivation on exercising, I’ll take those too! Thanks.
I know what you mean. Sometimes, I wish there were more hours in the day.
It’s funny you ask because I’m working on a more in-depth post about working out and motivation. For me the key is making the time to take care of my body. If you want to lose weight or get in better shape, start moving everyday and eat fresh foods. Zen Habits has a great post on simplicity and fitness.
Thanks for reading Marci!
I just took a look at your blog for the first time today (through a link on Facebook by More Minimal) and I really enjoyed reading it:)
I personally think that yoga is a great idea both in conjunction with your running routine, and during the times when you are unable to run (such as when you have an injury). I’ve been doing a yoga routine twice daily (once in the morning and once before bed) for almost a year now, and the health benefits I’ve received from it are vast. Originally, I began doing yoga only because I wanted to increase my flexibility and muscle strength, but it has done much more than that for me. It warms up my body, has tremendously increased my strength, and helps to heal my sore muscles. Also, I find that I’m able to sleep better at night when I stick to my yoga routine, and have better concentration for other tasks. If you live near a college, they often have free or very inexpensive yoga classes. At my college, they only charge $2 for non-students.
Good luck and I hope your knee heals up
Christina – thanks for reading! I really appreciate your kind words.
I’m going to take my first hot yoga class tonight and I’m incredibly excited. I’m looking forward to learning more about yoga. Like you said, I think it will build my strength, increase flexibility and will be a great alternative to running (especially when I’m injured). Be on the lookout for a post about yoga soon.
Thanks so much for reading.
Hey there! I totally agree with you and sometimes feel crazy for my inability to sit still. I walk everyday..no running for me! My walks help a lot and so does yoga…I hold yoga till the end of the day though because I find it very calming and its hard for me to get into that calm mindset in the beginning for middle of that day. I’m really trying to work at being more calm and being able to sit. Its just tough!!
@Alexandra – I agree. It is tough to sit still. I finally left my day job and am doing freelance work from home. I’m so grateful because now I can get up and walk or do yoga whenever I want. It’s liberating to set your own hours.