As I mentioned yesterday, I am reading Gretchen Rubin’s THE HAPPINESS PROJECT and loving it! One idea that hit me as particularly poignant was something she has mentioned on her blog, as well. You have the ability to change the way you see and react to things in your life. Gretchen writes, “Studies show that by acting as if you feel more energetic, you can become more energetic.” She references David Dunning’s book, Self-Insight: Roadblocks and Detours to the Path of Knowing Thyself. Dunning writes:

“[People] can argue anything. If asked to argue that some assertion “A” is true, people can do that. If next asked to argue that the opposite of “A” is true, they can do that, too, often with the exact same ease and effectiveness…When testing a hypothesis, people tend to emphasize evidence that confirms the hypothesis over information that disconfirms it. For example, if I asked someone whether he or she was an outgoing individual, that someone will likely sit back to think about times he or she has been an extroverted, sociable person…if I asked the same person whether he or she is the shy type, he or she would likely think of exactly…opposing examples because they confirm the new hypothesis.” (46-47)

I love the idea that we have that much control over our ultimate happiness and acceptance of the hands we have been dealt just by changing the way we look at things. Sometimes we avoid saying, “I am so happy,” for fear that it will be taken from us. In reality, saying these words both internally and externally actually pushes us in the direction of happiness.

I am thrilled to be following my own path towards happiness and cultivating a more appreciative existence.

Loving this book, The Happiness Project! I was reading on Gretchen Rubin’s website, The Happiness Project, about this month’s focus being ENERGY. Because I have recently mentioned my passion for running, I think it is a nice segue into Gretchen’s energy focus for January. Energy is crucial in tackling all aspects of life and exercise is a great way to increase your daily energy.

Here are some of the tips Gretchen provides for staying motivated in your exercise routine.

Everyone knows that exercise is a KEY element to good health. The trick is keeping yourself motivated to exercise, if you’re a person who naturally relapses into the couch-potato pose.

It took me years of prodding, but I’ve finally managed to turn myself into a dedicated exerciser. I never push myself very hard (at all), but I do manage to stick with a routine.

Personally, I find it more motivating to think about short-term gratification like “I’ll sleep better” than long-term considerations like “I’ll live longer” or “If I have surgery, I’ll recover quicker.”

Here are some things to keep in mind, if you’re trying to keep yourself motivated to exercise:

1. Exercise boosts energy. It took me a long time to notice that I’d drag myself to the gym, work out for forty minutes, and leave feeling far more energetic than when I went in.

2. Exercise provides an outlet for feelings of pent-up hostility, irritation, and anger. I always find that I’m far calmer and more forbearing on days when I’ve exercised. I have a jittery, high-strung nature, and exercising takes the edge off.

3. Repetitive, rhythmic motion of exercises like walking and running brings a serene mood and clarifies thinking. I’ve had all my best writing ideas when walking or running, and sometimes assign myself a particular problem to think over during a walk.

4. Sticking to an exercise regime raises your self-esteem for the very fact that you’re sticking to an exercise regime.

5. Exercise offers a chance to be alone and uninterrupted—a relief if, like me, you’re often surrounded by distractions. Or, if you prefer, exercise also offers a chance to get together with other people–a relief if, like me, you spend a lot of time working alone. I have both kinds of exercise during my week.

6. Regular exercise helps to keep your body chemicals in balance. When you experience stress, your body prepares for “fight or flight” with a huge number of biochemical reactions. A stressful event these days, however, is more likely to require a phone call than a sprint uphill. The potentially damaging byproducts of the stress response, such as cortisol, nevertheless continue to pump through the body, and exercise helps offset that effect.

7. Exercise helps you fall asleep more easily and sleep more deeply. The Big Man really notices this in himself.

8. Pure vanity can be a good motivator. Remember that people who exercise move more easily and energetically, and appear more youthful.

9. When I don’t feel like exercising, I remind myself how lucky I am to be able to move easily and without pain—no wheelchair, no crutches, no brace, no trick knee or bad back.