Welcome to the last part of the mini-series of the ‘BEER method for Successful Stretching’.
B ~ Breathe
E ~ Explore Resistance
E ~ Engage Fascial Lines
R ~ Repeat.
“First forget inspiration. Habit is more dependable. Habit will sustain you whether you’re inspired or not.”
-Octavia Butler
This quote sparked my interest. Octavia’s words are indeed thought-provoking. I found it is true! My reliable habits, especially the good ones, stay with me everyday regardless of inspiration. Take today, it’s labeled as ‘Blue Monday’ by a travel company – a marketing ploy to dub it the most depressing day of the year. While I typically don’t follow such ploys, I did start my day feeling a bit down. I chose to stick to my good habits, finding a sense of accomplishment despite low motivation. It dawned on me that my habits accompany me every day, whether I’m inspired or not.
Same could be said for a daily stretch routine! Or any other new habit you wish to include in the New Year. Once our thoughts and actions become habits a couple of magical, things happen. Our brain uses very little glucose because the habit has created a strong neural pathway. We can direct our brain power for other important items and we reap the physical benefits of a new habit.
Today’s blog concludes the ‘BEER method for Successful Stretching’. Visit wwwllifewideopen.ca to explore the other three parts in this mini-series. How did the first three steps work for you?
R ~ Repeat.
Simple enough. Do the BEER method every time you stretch, as many times during your stretch and, repeat throughout your day. Don’t wait until you hit the next Yoga class or the next cool-down section of your fitness routine. Make stretching a part of your daily habit, even if it’s 1-3 minutes in your day. Make it simple: try to include any stretch you want while your waiting for your coffee, do some twists while you are talking on your phone, every time you get up from your desk or task take 2 minutes to do your favourite stretch. Soon it will be a habit and guess what, you’ve created a habit!
Inspire yourself and lean into your dependable, effortless habits.
Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
Let your Brilliant Brain and Beautiful Body do the rest.
As always let me know if it made a difference for you.
Happy Successful Stretching,
Until we meet in Person.
Brain to Brain.
Heart to Heart.
Ciao!