Not just for kids

I named my studio Recess on purpose.  I believe that fitness should be as much fun as possible, that it should be a break from the relentless pressure of life.  Adults have forgotten that a lot of the things we tell kids are good ideas for ourselves as well.  Here are a few:

• Go outside.  I was out running errands and I saw some kids playing in the park, just running around with a ball on the grass.  There were some supervising adults around somewhere who were doubtless going to herd the kids back to some other sort of activity eventually, but the joy was visible from far away.  Especially in this dark time of year, we need to remember to go outside when it is light whenever we can, even if it is just a quick walk around the block at lunch time.

• Go play.  Don’t go work.  Don’t go work out.  Go play.  With a ball or a frisbee or a game you make up on the spot with two sticks and a Koosh ball.  Is the hallway empty at work?  See if you can hop on one foot the whole way along.  Do the other foot on the way back.  It’s good for your brain and your body.

• Take a nap.  Feeling cranky?  Even fifteen minutes with your eyes closed can help revitalize the afternoon.

• Have a snack.  Another possible reason for that crankiness could be that you’re hungry.  And no, that doesn’t mean you can hit the vending machine for a candy bar.  Try a handful of nuts or some veggies and dip or cheese and crackers.

• Turn off the television/video game/computer/screen.  Enough is enough.  Give your brain a break and your body some movement.

• Go play with your friends.  We all need to connect.  Kids shouldn’t get all the playdates.

Let’s do it.