Physical Activity
Today I wanted to speak from personal experience about one of the keys to staying happy and healthy while you are out of work - staying physically active.
The following is not about dieting or staying in shape. This is about keeping energized and staying positive.
You probably know how easy it is to stay inside all day. Sometimes you feel tied to your computer, searching for jobs and writing to potential employers. Or maybe you turn on the TV or read a book. There is nothing wrong with these activities, but sooner or later it will start to drain you.
I used to be active all the time. My former employer had a gym on-site that I used every other day. I played basketball with coworkers. Once I was no longer with the company I lost my gym and my coworkers!
I began to spend more and more time at home. At first I used an old exercise bike I had at my house. But my motivation to use it soon drifted away. I began to feel more tired (even though I was sleeping the same amount). I also started to feel more down about being out of work and unexcited about my job search.
Then one day I realized I had to get back to some kind of physical activity. Anything! So I put on my running shoes and headed out. It was one of the most painful runs ever. Everything hurt afterward. Then I did it again two days later. A little easier that time. Then the third time actually felt pretty good.
And as I got back into a routine, my body started feeling re-energized. Just what I needed. Suddenly I was back to my old self – feeling positive and excited about what job opportunities might be ahead of me.
So if your physical activity is low, and you are having trouble getting motivated to get active, here are some suggestions:
- Set a goal: Set a goal for yourself and stick to it. Example: I am going to run every Monday for 30 mins, bike every Wed for 45 mins, walk every Friday for 60 mins.
- Start small: Don’t start by running a marathon. If you haven’t been active for a while, start with a short jog, or something that will get your heart going again without taxing your body too much (or turning you off from doing it again!)
- Join a group: There are lots of groups that do physical activities together. Groups that go biking, play volleyball, pretty much anything you can think of. This is also a great way to stay social. And if you cant find a group you like, you could always start your own – potentially with others who are out of work!
And here are some ideas for exericse you can do around the house: 10 Ways You CAN Exercise At Home without Any Equipment
