In my post entitled, Women’s Groups as a Pathway to Renewed Focus, Energy, and Growth, I wrote that my physician suggested exercise to help ward off the dreaded Pacific Northwest winter blues. I was reluctant to believe her, but have found that she knew what she was talking about and I now work to incorporate even the smallest amount of physical activity whenever possible.

For example, my husband and I like to take the ferry across Puget Sound to Seattle. This is an adventure in itself as breaching whales and submarines are not uncommon sightings while crossing the Sound. From the Seattle Ferry Terminal, we have walked various 5-mile loops up through retail stores or past the Space Needle to our shopping mecca, the flagship REI store, then down to the fabulous Starbucks Seattle Reserve Roastery, or through Occidental Square and to the Pike Place Fish Market area to reward ourselves with a late lunch. One of our favorite, kitchy restaurants is The Pink Door, a hidden gem with no signage, and in an alleyway (Post Alley). Upon our first attempt to locate The Pink Door, we walked up and down the alley several times, and as we were about to give up, we asked a gentleman who was taking a smoke-break for help. He pointed directly behind us. (The door is a faded salmon color, not pink.)

I incorporate as much walking and exercise as possible when traveling as well. When choosing a hotel, I look for two things: safe walkability to unique shops and sites, and a gym with television and weights. A 30-45 minute episode of HGTV is just enough to get me through a boring hotel gym workout. (I actually look for three things. The third is a hot tub. Because who doesn’t like a hot tub?)

I had never really had a regular exercise routine other than sporadic walks, jogs, bike rides, and yard work. Then while living in East Texas I became part of a women’s running group. Those amazing women tolerated my desire to learn from them and due to their experience and encouragement, I surprised myself the first time I was able to run 5 miles without stopping. Not long before I moved away from Texas, a few of us ran a half marathon hosted in Shreveport, Louisiana. I would have finished well behind my running buddies but one friend had to take periodic breaks to stretch an injured knee which slowed her to my pace. We completed the run together in around 2 hours and 20 minutes. Not a great time, but not at all bad. This was my first experience with being handed a beer at the end of a race. The entire day brought new experiences and provides good memories. A few race t-shirts hang in my closet to remind me that I can do hard things.

That was 10 years ago. It now takes twice the work to produce half the results and I am more prone to injury so I adjust as needed. My current workout includes metabolic and strength classes. I appreciate the encouragement provided by the women in the classes and the knowledge of the trainers. I also struggle with bouts of anxiety while working out in a group. One morning while stretching before a workout, I shared this with a trainer. He suggested I try the Headspace meditation app. I was familiar with the concept of meditation but had never understood the benefit.

Meditation can help train the mind and body to identify and prepare for stressors and the practice has been useful in helping me identify and more quickly move beyond feelings of fear and anxiety. It even helped on a flight when I found myself confined to a middle seat (the injustice!) next to a gentleman watching a movie on his phone. Every few minutes, throughout the flight, he silently laughed while bouncing and shaking the row of seats. I had imagined some of the things I could do to help him recognize his annoying behavior, such as splashing my coffee onto his phone or looking at his phone as if watching the movie and bouncing along with him. I embarrassed myself just thinking about doing either of those.

Meditation is valued in medical, health and wellness, and faith-based communities, as well as among therapists, counselors, and coaches, and is a regular part of established corporations’ employee wellness programs. Happy healthy humans make happy, healthy, and productive individuals, citizens, and employees. Who knew?

Exercise and meditation are readily available tools that can support taking in all the opportunities and joys this one precious life has to offer.

“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” — E.E Cummings