#103🥶🚿 Jumping Jacks for your Brain

You create your state.

Oct 02, 2024

I’m on a mission to put the “Personal” back into Personal Development

Shower thought🚿: You create your state.

This weekend was spent trying (and not succeeding) in traveling to Asheville for a wedding, and spending a night in Savannah.
(My thoughts and prayers to everyone affected by Hurricane Helene).

Everything that could’ve gone wrong, did.
Circumstances changed, compromises were made.

What’s interesting is how I felt.
After weeks of a neutral-to-negative thought loop,
I set my mind free.

I removed expectations for the weekend.
Shifted my inner monologue.
And stayed open to the abundance of new and interesting experiences brought on through travel.

Why couldn’t I do this sooner?
Why was I living for weeks “in a rut” / “mentally down”?

The truth is, I could’ve.
And you can too.

We decide our state.
Sometimes we just need a little push to get there.
Or a step outside our day-to-day.

Be the spark.

Read more: How do I change my state of mind?

How movement jumpstarts your brain

Transformation Toolkit: How to start your day with Cold-Shower Clarity
(Part 6) — Need to catch up? (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5)

Jumping Jacks Workout GIF by Cricket Wireless

Cardio, Calisthenics, & Clarity

As we wrap our series on building our Transformation Toolkit,
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention movement.

This likely is common knowledge for you.

But are you using movement purposefully,
Or just going through the motions?

Jump, stand, walk-around, stretch, push, pull,
— Anything to get your blood flow going.

“They were right all along.”

As you may have already heard….

Aerobic exercise training is associated with modest improvements in attention and processing speed, executive function, and memory

“Physical activity is like turning up the wattage on your brain,” — Dr. John Medina (Brain Rules)

There is strong evidence from animal studies that exercise and regular activity positively impacts the pathophysiological processes of anxiety

Get out there and get moving!

p.s. Let me know if you’re trying a new fitness routine, exercise habit, or method for improving focus. Personally, I’ve added a set of burpees to my mornings and make it a habit to take lunch walks and stretch breaks.