I came home from church today to find my son still asleep and my husband on a bike ride. I still had lesson plans to write, but I took a deep breath and started in at motivating the boy under house arrest to get some air. We headed for the gym after much prodding. I had to prod myself as much as him. Once we got there it was a breeze. It really is just getting there and the first two minutes that make working out a tough habit to start. It is almost as bad as starting the habit of flossing.What I do know about the brain is that low dopamine levels causes depression and can lead to alcohol/drug abuse. The mind is so clever and searches out ways to calibrate deficiencies. While alcohol works in the short term, it actually causes the brain to crave more dopamine. Because our bodies are incredibly adaptive, if you give the system more than it can handle it learns to adapt. Therefore, your brain creates more receptors screaming MORE, MORE, MORE. This is an inevitable and vicious cycle, once it gets started. So this is the information I share with my boy. I also let him know that when I get the case of the blues I have two fixes: the gym and the coffee shop. Of course the effects of the gym last longer and don't lead to a crash (like caffiene), but not always can we get to the gym. My new resolve is to get to the gym more often and drag that boy with me. Perhaps I can get him hooked.
By the way, I am supposed to be working right now. Maybe I will have to go to Bloggers Anonymous....
3 comments:
Those are 2 habits I need to work on getting! And yes, I've got a table covered in paperwork that has successfully been avoided this weekend...not all due to blogging because there is also facebook and and AA online group!
so refreshing to hear someone who realizes this is a mental and emotional malady,and not a spiritual
one. i like your blues remedy; endorphins and caffeine!
also sounds like you realize the futility of sappy programs like DARE.
kudos to for exposing your son to exercise; show him as many sports as possible; then let him choose what suits him.thanks for writing instead of working; you helped me with your words of wisdom.
The first few months of my sobriety I couldn't stop moving. I had my house spotless, I cleaned every available surface, then I started tearing things apart and re-doing them. Whatever it takes to stay in the day, one more day of sobriety it's worth it. The gym sounds like a great motivation factor for you both. (Hugs)Indigo
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