This morning after a few week hiatus, I went on a run! I am currently visiting my hometown in Michigan so a nice run off the lake was something I just needed! I decided to go tech free (with the expectation of my smartwatch to track my steps) so relatively tech free! No phone, no music, just me and my steps. I found running without music gave me the opportunity to think the thoughts I usually do not have time for.
Maybe because they were embarrassing, too light hearted or caused pain. Many different thoughts, it was amazing to be lost in your head. With this type of mental concentration you enter an almost mediation state. With traditional mediation we empty the mind and stop/control thoughts from creeping in to distract you. But for my run, I let all those small thoughts in and I let my feelings fuel my speed. Finding physical and mental strength.
I sometimes use running to redirect emotional responses as physical fuel. This means when I remember or want to resolve some anger, embarrassment or any uncomfortable feeling about a situation I let my body feel my feelings and put it into running harder. Running off the embarrassment and anger, taking the physiological response and redirecting them into physical power is enlightening and clarifying. When we are able to truly run off the ego emotions we can look at situations with a better sense of clarity.
My suggestion is that when you have something to think about but you've been avoiding it, go for a run. When you think you have too many thoughts to think about, go on a mindful run and think about all those things! If it’s weighing on you, turn the weight into a throttle. Let your body release your feelings and turn that into extra premium diesel fuel!
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