How Running Away From it All Can Help You Find Your Focus
I’ve only been sitting at my desk for 3 minutes, but I’ve already heard several notifications ding on my phone. Not only is this a good reminder to turn them off, it’s evidence that our modern world is full of distractions. I’m sure you can relate.
Have you ever heard the ding or seen the flash on your phone screen that felt like the last straw? I know I have!
How can you possibly find your focus with a never ending to-do list and constant dings and pop-ups?
It’s easy!
Just run away from it all— literally!
Now, you WILL have to come back to those to-dos, but when you return, you’ll actually feel more focused and better able to handle them.
While most people start a fitness routine for the weight loss or general health benefits, the reality is that moving more helps you increase your energy, creativity, and focus as well.
The ability of exercise to increase one’s focus has caused one of it’s biggest proponents, Dr. John Ratey, to describe it as effective as the medication, Prozac, which is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
“Going for a run is like taking a little bit of Prozac and a little bit of Ritalin” — Dr. John Ratey
Not a runner (yet — I’d love to help you get started!)?
You don’t have to run or take an hour long walk or join a gym to enjoy more focus from fitting in fitness. Ten minutes of walking around your neighborhood can make a huge difference.
In her book, How to Have a Good Day, Caroline Webb shares,
“you can instantly clear your head and lift your mood with twenty minutes of moderate exercise.”
As a runner, personal trainer, and owner of a fitness company, I’ve always found sticking to a fitness routine to have numerous benefits. However, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the positive impact adding in short bouts of walking has had on my busy days.
For one, fitting in walking breaks has helped me cut back on my daily caffeine consumption.
No matter what you’re trying to focus on, it’s clear that moving more, yes — literally walking away from a task when you feel stuck, will help you increase your sense of clarity when you return.
If you’ve been putting off starting a fitness routine, because you don’t have the time, I hope this encourages you to change the way you think about exercise.
Some of the busiest and most successful women I know from entrepreneurs to CEOs to lawyers, prioritize exercise for this very reason. Many of them didn’t start making moving more a part of their daily routine until their schedules became the most full. It’s not too late to start!
So what do you say?
Let’s run away from our to-dos together!
Catherine Basu, MEd is an ACE-Certified personal trainer, the owner of Fit Armadillo®, and author of Superwomen Secrets Revealed: Successful Women Talk About Fitting in Fitness and Dare You to Join Them. She has zero tolerance for diets, supplements, and detoxes and not just because she’s a huge fan of glutenFULL bread, but lots of love for those new to fitness. An avid runner, she has competed in races from the 1500m to the full marathon, and loves helping others start a running routine.
