A Dose of Happiness

So my intention this week was to start going to the YMCA regularly – every day – five days in a row. It’s Friday. How did I do, you ask?  Well, let’s just say that I met my exercise goal for the five days but not my goal of getting to the Y five days in a row.

Monday:

I got to the YMCA by 7:30, walked at a quick pace on the treadmill for 30 minutes.

Tuesday:

This day was fouled by having morning (7:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.) appointments. But, I have a standing date to walk with a friend after she’s done with work. It was 96 degrees! We walked for an hour. It counts as exercise! Right?!

Wednesday:

This morning entailed teaching a session of summer school based on our school garden. It was a full morning of classes. This was scheduled far before my recent decision to get to the Y everyday for exercise.

After seeing my friend Tuesday, we decided to walk again on Wednesday afternoon – again in 90 degree heat, again for an hour.  It counts! Right?!

Thursday:

I skipped the Y again this morning to walk with a friend in the evening. This was a different friend. Again, 90 degree heat and high humidity. We walked for an hour.

Friday:

This morning it is raining and gray. The rumbles of thunder make it seem like a day to spend on the couch reading a new book I have for my summer grad class. But, as I did so, I thought, I really need to get to the Y. So, off the couch I got and off to the Y I went.

While at the YMCA, on the treadmill, I listened to a podcast by Gretchen Rubin. She is the author of The Happiness Project and has published several other books, as well. Her podcasts range from little “snippets” or “hack” as she calls them to 40 minute conversational topics  (I’ve heard two where she is discussing tips for the road to happiness with her sister) that are easy to listen to, entertaining, and sometimes enlightening. At the very least, you can easily connect to being “human” and “less than perfect” while listening to her pondering – some of which is based on research.

So, I’ve gotten my dose of happiness today and this week. I am sure I benefited from my daily exercise, my talks with friends, and a few other things that included shopping for dormitory supplies with my college bound son, and at least a couple of nights of good sleep.

Life is a journey and it should be a happy one. I’m striving for that through healthy choices and a renewed positive mindset. So far, so good!