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Covid-19 has changed our lives and affected each and every one of us personally in some form or fashion.
From job loss, economic strain, and most importantly, sickness and death, we have all had to press our way during grief and stress over this past year. For me, losing my mom was the ultimate blow.
Because of my strong faith, I just knew her health would return as she had done so many times before after her strokes, but very recently, she went home to be with the Lord. It’s still hard for me to write and even harder to believe, but it’s true.
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My saving grace hasn’t been the church house as my customary place of refuge. Call me crazy, but seeing parishioners blatantly defy health precautions to lessen the spread of the virus seemed blasphemous to me, but, there has always been one thing that gives me a new perspective, reinvigorates my soul, and gives me a great release, and that’s been exercising.
As a twenty-year professional in the field of fitness and training, I’ve learned that the release of positive endorphins that exercise gives is unparallel to any drink or toxic habit.
While there are many high-priced fitness gizmos, gyms, and gadgets, I wish I could help others experience the reality that exercising can be cheaper than drugs or therapy.
Don’t believe me? Well, it’s true. For the past year, I can count on one hand how often I’ve been to the gym, and yet, I exercise more regularly than I did before the pandemic.
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True, home workouts don’t provide the same plethora of machines and classes that the gym provides, but during this pandemic, I can say for certain I know my home is better sanitized.
Working in gyms and health clubs all across Illinois and even while traveling and teaching in the Caribbean, I know gyms don’t get properly cleaned as they should—and this was before Covid, so for me, my home has been the safer option.
Sans treadmill or Smith machine, I’ve still found a way to keep it moving during this pandemic, and you can too!
You can jog in place or jump with an imaginary jump rope or clear some space and really jump rope.
My girlfriends have weighted hula hoops, and I’ve truly made some magic happen with an old chair from the barbecue card table that usually sits in the garage until it’s ‘cueing season.
Using it for a seated squat to press or simply stepping upon it has given my quads the same burn I would get in the gym on equipment, and that’s really what it’s about—working the muscle through to fatigue or failure.
Dancing is another simple option that can help you feel good and get through the pain of loss and grief. Seems odd and counterintuitive because Lord knows thinking about dancing can be depressing, but the act of dancing is actually liberating and mood-altering.
Plus, there are so many great workouts on “YouTube University” as I call it where you can learn how to do just about anything, and if it isn’t there, then that’s a sign for a place to contribute.
Grief is a different beast. It can overtake you and lead you into feelings and memories you never saw coming, and exercise is the perfect outlet to release any negativity and embrace the new. Just try a few sun salutations with calming music. I promise you. It will make you feel better.
