Hello runner friends!
Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series
MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!
Now let's get started by talking about something many of us will be practicing this week of Thanksgiving.... mindful gratefulness or the practice of focusing on the here and now and all the ways we are blessed. And why is this a good thing to do today and every day? Because, as Richelle Goodrich wisely said, "Gratitude doesn’t change the scenery. It merely washes clean the glass you look through so you can clearly see the colors." In other words, gratitude helps us discover things that we would never have thought to express thanks for. It shines a light on the little things that make our lives better.
So whether you're participating in a turkey-trot with friends this holiday or running solo while you wait for the turkey to cook and the family to arrive, I do hope that you'll turn your Thanksgiving Run into a Gratitude Run. And remember.... expressing gratitude has tons of health benefits like helping you sleep better, lowering inflammation in your heart, and bringing peace to your body and soul. That being said, check out these things you can do to turn an ordinary run into a run filled with thankfulness.
Count your blessings.
If you’re thinking… oh boy where do I start? Try starting small and working your way up. My thoughts will go something like this, “Thank you Lord for my morning cup of coffee and the sun that never ceases to rise. Thank you for the food you provided for our feast this year. I’m thankful for the people I’ll share it with, for the heat that will fill the room and for my home that serves as the gathering place. And I'm super thankful for the memories that will be made.” Do you see where I’m going with this? And before you think you don’t have anything to be thankful for consider that 34 million people don’t have enough to eat. So if you have a feast planned, rejoice!
Remind yourself that running is a gift.
When was the last time you stopped to think about what a blessing it is to run? I personally have three friends that are on the injured list right now and can't run. They want to run but they can't. Remember that as you're out there on your Gratitude Run over the holiday weekend.
Gratitude Runs aren't about speed. Remember that you're not rushing to the finish line or so there's no need to check your Garmin. Don't try cruising along at your marathon goal pace either. Think about friends you've known for decades or all the news ones you've made this year and how lucky you are to have met them. Slow down to breathe in the fresh air all around you and to take notice of the sky’s beauty. Stop for a minute or two to just "be" and be thankful for the heart beating in your chest. Do you realize that the average person's heart beats about 100,000 times a day? Have you ever thanked your Creator for even one of those beats? Today's a great day to do that.
Prepare yourself for the day ahead.
Gratitude Runs are such a great way to get ready for a day that for many can be hectic. Prepare yourself mentally to look at the cup as half full rather than half empty no matter what happens. The turkey burned? No worries. Eat ham. Relatives fighting? No worries. Be thankful for simply having family. Whatever goes awry this week, determine within yourself while out on your run that you’re going to keep the joy despite any snafus and then practice smiling as you run. It not only floods you with feel good hormones but will actually make your run seem easier; something actually backed up by science.
Vow to practice mindful gratitude on Thanksgiving (and every day).
Why wait for January 1st to make a resolution that literally has the power to change your life? Gratitude changes everything. Still not convinced? Here's what science says about it:
Gratitude has been found to be the #1 predictor of well-being and a strong determinant of resilience. Resilient people proactively cultivate positive emotions like humor, gratitude and optimism. You don’t even have to find anything to be grateful for. The simple act of looking for the positive decreases the stress hormone cortisol by 23%. Just looking for something to appreciate increases serotonin and dopamine, the feel-good neurochemicals in most antidepressants. Gratitude affects your brain at a neurological level. A gratitude practice has a positive impact on: sleep, mood, alertness, physical risk markers for future disease, happiness, better financial decision making, problem solving, optimism, productivity, and goal orientation. People who practice gratitude are perceived as more likeable, have fewer aches and pains, have increased self esteem, and make friends more easily. Practicing gratitude lowers stress, enhances empathy, lowers your risk of cancer, high blood pressure, and diabetes, and it improves your immune system and cardiovascular health.
So there you have it friends. Gratitude put into practice is not only good for us but for those around us. For that reason I hope that you'll choose to practice it every day not just on Thanksgiving. And if you're like me, no matter how far your run takes you, you'll never run out of things to be thankful for. Now get out there and go for a 'gratitude run.' And if you can't run then walk. Just get out there and soak up some sunshine. It's gonna be a great day!
HAPPY RUNNING!
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