Frame of Mind
I have been thinking a lot about the subject of taking better care of myself, and therefore improving my frame of mind.
Occasionally, and not-too-coincidentally at the start of winter, I fall into a total rut. My live devolves to sleeping in until just a few minutes shy of 8am, getting up, brushing my teeth, throwing on sweats and stumbling downstairs to my home office. I sit down to work with a cup of (decaf) tea and toast, and then sit there, completely sedentary, all day long until it’s time to get up and, after a quick shower, fix dinner for the family. After dinner, I relocate my butt from the office to the couch, where I read, watch tv, write, or surf the internet for fun. I can go a week or ten days without seeing anyone but my family and the checkers at the grocery store.
There are so many things that are wrong with this lifestyle! It’s completely sedentary, guaranteed to turn me into a female Jabba the Hutt. It’s very isolated, disconnecting me from people and environments that are in any way stimulating. It allows me to wallow in my natural tendencies toward seasonal depression. It induces eyestrain and poor posture. It’s a horrible example for my kids.
So, I’ve been challenging myself to think of ways I can bootstrap my way back out of my rut. I’m not looking for a total life makeover, just some little things. I came up with a really long list, but edited it down to small, manageable change.
- Get exercise at least every other day – a walk at lunch, or to the ferry.
- Spend more time around other people – neighbors, coffee shop, go into the office.
- Find an avenue to volunteer, get out of my house and help others – and then do it.
- Schedule a vacation, something to look forward to.
The walk? That’s next, after I publish this post.
The vacation is booked – we’re going to Vegas in February for sunshine, entertainment and Ben’s graduation.
The rest? I’ll work on it over the next couple of days. And I’ll get there.
December 10th, 2007
Is it wrong that I long for your sedentary lifestyle?
I wish I had a home office. I loathe most of the people I work with, and tend to work best when left alone.
That said, I’m also a moody SOB. Maybe I just need to get some exercise as well. I’m not quite to Jabba stage, but I sure could lose a few pounds. Maybe I could have a home office, but force myself to walk to the store to get a coffee every morning. (no coffee shop around here, silly small town)
December 10th, 2007
Jeri, I’m a home-office recluse, too. As you know, I do force myself to exercise 5 days a week, but that doesn’t mean I like it. I started out walking the pooch before I got serious with my Evil Machine of Torture. Small steps are the way to go, and your health is worth it.
I can’t offer much help on the recluse factor, though. Like you, I can go days without seeing anyone but my family, and I’m actually okay with that. Not good…
December 10th, 2007
None of us want to see Bryan sitting at your feet in a slinky gold bikini with a chain around his neck…
December 10th, 2007
Shawn, I live in a small town too, but we’re near Seattle, there are still coffee shops, everywhere! I think exercise would help manage my moods, if I got more consistent with it.
Janiece, I think this stint has actually changed my personality type. I used to be pretty gregarious and outgoing, and I’ve gotten much more reserved and self-reliant – not entirely a bad thing.
And Bill… you get the comment of the year award. I’m still laughing, a half hour after reading it.
December 10th, 2007
Bill – you said you liked it when you sent the bikini to me last Christmas. My little feelings are hurt!
December 11th, 2007
I do have a workplace to go to, but oftentimes find myself doing very little besides sitting at the computer regardless of where the computer is. So I have a series of stretching exercises that I try to do at least once a week or so, and also bits of jogging around the building at work. It helps.