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Don't Take Things Too Seriously All the Time
- Derek Arsenault (CSEP-CPT, PN1)
- Jun 28
- 3 min read
At the time of writing this, in our area we were experiencing the first HARD heat wave of the summer of 2025. 40C+ with the humidex. Lots of things cancelled around the area due to the extreme heat.
It brought the argument for FLEXIBILITY in your health practices and routines, but also the argument to NOT take things so seriously all the time. Just ENJOY caring for your body and have fun with it! We over-think, over-analyze and sometimes over-do the details of our health habits, meanwhile MOST people have our ENTIRE life ahead of us. Might I add; Do you really want to over-think, over-analyze and over-do everything the rest of your life? I'm stressed just thinking about it. 🤪
Zen blog readers know, I'm a big fan of minimizing/eliminating stress in our health practices and helping others do the same. HAVE FUN with it. ALLOW it to FEEL GOOD (whatever you choose to do). And OMG, how about YOU SMILE while you do your chosen practice!! 😯 The world won't end and your routine won't be sabotaged. But you WILL feel better doing it.
Put on a funny podcast or audiobook while you walk (I recommend "The Debaters" on CBC). EVERY walk doesn't have to be a mindful one.
Do an activity with a friend or family member at an intensity you can both chat a bit throughout or during some breaks. Even make a "rule" when you start to NOT chat about politics, drama or gossip to keep things light and enjoyable for all. EVERY activity or exercise session doesn't have to be "by the book" and/or "all out intensity".
If you're doing intervals and you have some music on, use your recovery interval to dance and/or sing a bit between work sets (work on your "cool moves" if no one is around) 🤣. The magic isn't in WHAT you do during the recovery as much as in the work and rest balance - make it fun and different sometimes, it's ok!!
Try a new movement or exercise at some point before, during or after your regular routine. That in itself may bring a giggle or two. 🤣 Experimenting with new ways to move your body helps you connect more closely with the body you carry with you EVERY DAY, YOUR WHOLE LIFE.
Head out for a hike, but not for a distance or pace; Explore, observe and even learn about nature. (I recommend the "Seek" app by iNaturalist - it has some cool challenges/scavenger hunts in nature). EVERY hike doesn't have to be tech free. Sometimes you can find ways to ADD enjoyment and learning with the help of your tech.
Our health NEVER needs to be "perfect". It's NOT taboo to actually ENJOY whatever you choose to do for your wellbeing. I will argue wholeheartedly, that it actually is NECESSARY to do so for long term deep health. Try it. "Let yourself". You may be surprised how easy it is to work your health habits into your days when you don't take them so straighfaced and "business like" every time. 😉
*Here is a story I shared relating to exactly this point of not taking our health practices so seriously, that I shared back in March 2023. *
These shorter posts are part of the "Zen Quickies" category of posts here on the blog. Quick discussions, information and ideas direct from 'Coach D's' head to yours, to hopefully spark some thinking about YOUR own health practices.
If you want to further the conversation or discuss how you can take something here and put it into action, 'Coach D' offers a variety of options for coaching. Connect with him and set up a chat!
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