Running is more than just exercise for me—it’s a way to stay healthy, both physically and mentally. As a former athlete who played high school and college field hockey, staying active is part of my DNA. After years of training and competing, running has become a routine that I want to maintain for as long as possible. It allows me to step outside, soak up the sun, connect with nature, and momentarily disconnect from the demands of work, life, and being a mom.
- Mental Health: Running helps me maintain my mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. Keeping these things at bay are important, so that I can function and be fully present in my life.
- Physical Health: Beyond the obvious fitness benefits, running boosts my cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles, and keeps me feeling energetic throughout the day. It’s also a way to help lower my risk of breast cancer—which runs in my family—and helps me maintain a healthy weight.
- Personal Challenge: Every run presents a new goal—whether it’s distance, speed, or conquering a tough route. Pushing my limits keeps me motivated and focused. There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of beating my previous time!
- Connection with Nature: For me, running outdoors is essential. I especially love being out when the weather is warm, and the sun is shining bright. There’s something rejuvenating about moving through open spaces and feeling connected to God and the world around me.
- Being an Example to My Boys: As a mom, I want to model a healthy and active lifestyle for my sons. When they see me prioritizing fitness and pushing through challenges, I hope they learn the value of perseverance, self-care, and the joy of staying active.
It can be hard to maintain all the things that we need as wives, mothers, employees, etc. But what we cannot neglect is our self-care. We must find a way to take care of ourselves, so that we can truly love and take care of ourselves and our families. I don’t always get to run as much as I want, but I do make sure that I run when I can. It also helps to have a friend, accountability partner to push you on the days that you really don’t want to run, or do whatever it is that helps you maintain your well being. Do you like to run? Do you have another form of self-care that you prefer?
Thank you for reading…Shawna