Ask yourself does this chap pictured above look stressed or anxious, is he thinking about an important meeting that’s looming at work, is he thinking about the impact Brexit might make on the mortgage rate ….. “NO”, he’s beaming with self esteem.

That chap is me and I’ve just finished the Isle of Wight marathon. My mood has been uplifted, I’ve been living in the moment ever since I boarded the catamaran that crossed the Solent and I’ve just spent 4 & 3/4 hours enjoying myself.

Maximise your wellbeing !!

Running helps me in so many different ways but I’ll cover the “BIG 5” below.

If it helps me …………. there’s no reason why it can’t help YOU.

• Make a regular payment into the Bank of Me

We spent so much time governed by work timetables, family timetables and quite frankly life timetables that its really important to make some time for yourself. I’m not saying days or weeks just positive short bursts of “Me time” and that’s were my running comes in.

Plan this time around work and family but make sure it becomes a regular slot that everyone is aware of. This way ironically you have included it in your timetable.

I’m also convinced that I’m a better me on my return which benefits my family as well as me.

• Get Outside

The timetables that dictate so much of our waking hours mean we stay in similar surroundings for long periods. The office, the house, commuting on the train etc etc these locations support why you are there and that’s why I find it so important to relocate outdoors.

Running along a riverbank with sheep to your left and a stream to your right just fills you with positivity and reminds you how valuable a change of scenery is.

• Give yourself a Self Esteem target

Ok, when I say a target I don’t mean one that will add to your stress I mean one that makes you feel good about yourself. This might be a time for the distance you are running because that will reinforce you are getting fitter, which in turn, improves how you feel about yourself.

However, you could decide on making it to the top of a hill without walking, running for a certain amount of time or quite simply just breathing in the fresh air and feeling alive.

• Your cumulative Feel Good factor

Once you’ve returned from your run you’ll feel energised, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment and you’re much more likely to make healthier food choices. Instead of grabbing a chocolate biscuit it’s much more likely you’ll decide on an apple instead.

With less stress and anxiety I find I don’t crave comfort food, in fact I’m making positive healthy choices to complement my running. Why undo the good work you’ve just achieved.

That cumulative effect will also take you through the night because you are physically tired which makes for a better nights sleep with less pre sleep pondering on what’s happened through the day or what’s ahead of you tomorrow.

• The Most important step of you run is the first one out of your Front Door

Running is part of my life and has been for thirty years. My mood changes from the minute I know I’m going out and carries on hours after I’ve got back. Running relaxes me mentally even if it challenges me physically.

Whether I’m running on my own or with others I take in my surroundings, I try to absorb the feeling of running through the countryside. The sights and sounds of nature calm you and refresh you.

The time I spend running is quality time, it’s “My time”.

Why not make it “Your Time” or “Our Time” by including your partner or kids.

Happy Running

Roger

I do enjoy a forest run but today I tried something completely different, Forest Bathing !! I saw an article by the Forestry Commission which really struck a cord with me, so I headed off to soak up some bathing (no towels are required) 🙂

Shinrin-yoku is the Japanese art of forest bathing – taking in the forest atmosphere and connecting with all your senses.

My journey started with this wooden bridge that lead me into the dabble sunlight of the trees. From my trail running I know a number of routes through these woods, some quite densely forested and some more widely planted.

Today I didn’t need to concentrate on tree roots, branches and other potential hazards I really could simply absorb what was there right in front of me. In many ways the trees are competing for the sunlight and at the same time they all seem to fit into an orderly pattern.

With spare time on my hands I had no time restrictions but equally with this being new to me I wasn’t quite sure how long I’d be.

The trees spend their lives growing ever taller in an effort to reach that golden sun in the sky, the birds have their continuous search for food and the seasons shape how the forest looks.

I sat on one of these conveniently places logs and quite simply just tried taking in what was around me. The occasional dragon fly, a bird flapping high up in the leaves and the swishing of the ferns were the only obvious noises.

It’s almost October but the warm sun meant I only needed my t shirt. Our modern lifestyles don’t often allow us to just stop and stare, to breath in the woody air and feel the breeze on your arms.

One of the gnarled tree trunks had insects scurrying in and out and the branches move almost like they’ve waved at me. Don’t worry, I haven’t been drinking, I’m not on any illegal products, I’m just bathing in the forest even though we’re miles from the sea !!

It’s great to be able to step out of your Monday to Friday work and just connect with nature.

Moving on towards the less densely planted forest the individual trees really stand out. They almost have their own personalities, some stand tall like a soldier, some lean at an angle almost as if they’re about to uproot and find another spot in the woods.

Standing at the base of a tree and looking straight up, as I did with my first photo, really gives you a sense of the trees age, the winters it has endured and the ground that it has dominated for many years.

Three quarters of an hour later I was back at my car and feeling considerably more at one with myself.

The sights and feel of the forest will change as the new season approaches. I look forward to returning in a month or two for the Autumnal browns, gold and orange as well as the colder air.

#getoutside ……….. go Forest Bathing !!