Running The Coping Mechanism
by
Kelly Roberts
When life gives you lemons and then squeezes
those lemons into your eyes while simultaneously pulling
the rug out from under you, it's hard to figure out
how you're going to make it through the day. Running
is always billed as a way to stay healthy or as a way
to get in shape but I think running's mental benefits
far outweigh the physical ones. Here are 9 times I'm
grateful I found running:
When I'm Anxious.
Sometimes the only way to escape the feeling that I'm
being buried alive is to just get up and go. One of
the only ways I can actually escape my inner monologue
is by running until it fades away. Running has been
the fastest and most efficient way to get my anxiety
to subside.
When I'm Having A Terrible Awful
Shitty Horrendous Day.
Bad day at work? When everything that could go wrong
not only does go wrong but self implodes -- I thank
my lucky stars that at 6:00pm I get to take off and
run as far in the opposite direction of work as possible.
Sometimes I cackle like a crazy person for added affect.
When I'm Frustrated.
Whenever I'm about to boil over and flip my lid, I think
"Hey girl. Now is a great time to take a step to
the side before you burn this place to the ground. Why
don't you go do that thing where you run? Sounds like
a better idea than what you're thinking about doing
right now and it doesn't involve ending up in jail."
Sometimes when I'm so frustrated that all I want to
do is get in bed and pull the covers over my head or
find a way into the witness protection program, I put
on that really angry angsty playlist and I run hard.
Exhausting myself physically is always so much better
than doing it mentally.
When I'm Feeling Lost.
Lose your way? Not quite sure what you're doing with
your life? Do you look in the mirror and not recognizing
who you see staring back at you? There has never been
a more perfect time or excuse to sign up for a half
marathon and start running towards a physical finish
line.
When I'm Heartbroken.
Is your heart shattering in a million pieces? Go run.
The reason I ran the New York City Half Marathon and
took those selfies with hot guys was because the relationship
I was in was falling apart. But your heart is a muscle
and it will only get stronger if you run! It's science!
If you've ever tried running while you're crying you'll
know that it's not easy. But not only is it cathartic
to get moving when you feel empty inside but you have
an active way to move through your heartbreak.
When I'm Grieving.
There is absolutely nothing worse than having to deal
with a loss. Pain changes you and being able to do something
physical that was painful but in a way that I knew was
helping me get stronger made sense to me. Now whenever
I slip into the rabbit hold of grief, I put on some
sunglasses, lace up my shoes and I run. Being outside
and moving forward does wonders if you're grieving.
When I'm Experiencing Doubt and Low Self-Esteem.
The pride, gratification and sense of accomplishment
that comes with crossing a finish line is unparalleled.
If for some reason you are experiencing doubt, go find
your limits and push through them.
When I'm Stressed.
Stressed out? You'd think adding one more thing to your
already overloaded plate would push you over the edge
but running does the opposite affect. Not only will
you have more energy to combat that stress but you'll
be more proactive about planning ahead and scheduling
to make sure you get those runs in.
If I'm Feeling Betrayed.
What do you do when you've been wronged? When you feel
like there's no one on your side? You run! Why? Because
the only person you can count on to take care of you
is you. And the best revenge is strength, success and
an endorphin high so go do something kick ass like run
a half marathon and humble brag that you're a bad ass.
Life isn't easy and it never gets easier but when life
gives you lemons, GO FOR A RUN. You don't have to be
athletic or in shape to get started. All you have to
do is take that very first step and then the next one.
It's just one foot in front of the other.
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