I met up with two running buddies this morning, and of course my faithful furry friend came too (Bramble the dog) – it was great, we ran 5 odd miles, we
did it easily and it was lots of fun too, not just because we were out in the fresh air, seeing the beautiful countryside, but because the conversation was flowing and to be honest the times fly’s by and so do the miles covered.
This got me thinking about how often people find it difficult to start exercising because there is a bit in their mind that finds excuses not to do it… This pesky bit is the primitive mind…
The primitive mind also called the limbic system contains the Amygdala, Hippocampus, thalamus, hypothalamus, basal ganglia and cingulate gyrus, and one of its functions is to keep us safe – it will do this by activating the fight, flight or freeze response. So you can see what’s happening when we try and do something different – like exercising – it will have a “Mañana” moment … So that “Mañana” moment is your primitive mind answering for you…
Sensory information travels faster to this part of the brain so it has a chance to answer before the intellectual mind has a chance to catch up and make a logical rational assessment of the situation; in this case it might be that the primitive mind says: “Oh I can’t be bothered, its raining outside, who wants to run in that?” or “Lets just start it tomorrow”, whereas the intellectual mind would say “Darn it’s raining, but hey its rather nice and cool running in the rain” or “I love it when it rains as when it clears up, the smell of fresh grass is so lovely, plus I get to try out that new waterproof jacket I bought”!.. Very different approaches which will result in very different outcomes… One part of the brain trying to keep you still and therefore safe, the other egging you on to achieve your goals.
So I am constantly chuffed with myself after going out running with friends or with a running club because I tend to run much further in a group than I would if I was running on my own; chatting and interacting with others really helps. It also gives you the support and encouragement you might need to help the intellectual part of you stay in charge… So if you are thinking of starting a new sport or exercise why not look into what groups are already out there that you might like to join so that that “Mañana” moment doesn’t arise… I speak from personal experience lone running is great but group running is better…