Mindfulness Challenge Day 10: Mindful Exercise
Today you successfully complete the mindfulness challenge and we are ending with the components of mindful exercise! Fun topic, right!? I chose to conclude with exercise because it is like the dessert that completes a full course meal.
But first, let’s recap the challenge thus far, and the first nine practices that you’ve begun to incorporate into your daily routine. Pay close attention to the flow and picture yourself doing each of these while allowing them to become natural habits.
Bring attention and awareness to your thoughts, emotions, and feelings by being in each moment.
Affirm yourself daily.
Begin your morning with an inspirational reading. Fill your own bucket first.
Practice conscious reflection.
Celebrate your wins!
Practice self-care.
Pray.
Use mindful breathing in challenging circumstances.
Be fully attentive to your eating habits.
Lastly, Be fully present and engaged in your workout. Mindful exercise will take your workout to the next level! It will change how you feel and make each move much more effective. Here are 4 things that I challenge you to focus on the next time you workout.
Mental Preparation: Bring yourself to a space where you become focused, determined, confident, and motivated to get the most out of your present workout. That means, bringing awareness to the type of exercise, its purpose, and releasing any thoughts outside of what you are about to accomplish.
Form: Pay close attention to your posture, alignment, and the movement of every single muscle as you work. Even when you are sweating, breathing hard, and tired, focus on the results you want upon completion instead of just making it to the end.
Rhythm: Be flexible. There is a flow, rhythm, and style to each form of exercise. Find that flow and release any tenseness so that you can perform to the best of your ability without stifling any of the necessary functions. Rhythm will leave you energized and makes for a smooth transition throughout.
Rest/Recovery: An essential component of mindfulness in exercising is taking advantage of the rest/recovery phases between sets, exercises, and workouts. The rest/recovery phases allows you to listen to your body. How is your breathing? Do you need to slow down? Can you push harder? Is your form on point? Activate your senses during these two phases to determine what YOU need.
If you want to maximize your results from exercise, practice mindfulness to be in tune with your mind and body.
Make today amazing,
~Coach Ashley
