- Creatures of Habit by Jenna Gestetner | Resolute
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- A Habit For Lowkey Exercise
ro·man·ti·cize
verb
Definition: To deal with something in an idealized fashion to make it seem better or more appealing than it really is.
The idea of doing a working out, especially early in the morning, can feel like climbing a mountain.
But exercise doesn’t have to be intense.
There has been a trend going around recently: cozy cardio.
What is cozy cardio, you may ask?
Cozy cardio is meant to take away the pressure of exercise. It’s a way to bring joy and comfort into working out.
People on TikTok can be seen doing cozy cardio at 5am, walking on a walking pad, with dim lights, watching their favorite Netflix show, still in their pajamas.
You don’t have to put on workout clothes, get yourself ready to leave home, or even shower afterward.
SCIENCE:
Not only does cozy cardio help you relax and ease into the day, it is also a form of low intensity steady state cardio (LISS) which has many benefits of it’s own.
This type of exercise enhances cerebral blood flow, promoting neuronal health and boosting the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), vital for memory and learning.
IMPACT:
LISS stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system which helps with stress reduction and maintaining a state of relaxation, beneficial for your mental health and cognitive recovery.
Starting your day with cozy cardio sets a positive tone, paving the way for a productive, focused, and mentally balanced day ahead.
IMPLEMENTATION:
Why habits? Your time is valuable and limited; you don’t need more complex systems. My goal is to provide you with simple, effective tools to support your physical and mental well-being and make you more efficient and conserve mental energy. (read more)
Try it out
Step 1: Get a home treadmill or walking pad for convenience
Step 2: Set up a cozy environment with soft lighting and your favorite show
Step 3: Begin with a 20-30 minute walk, focusing on consistency over intensity
TOOLKIT:
In every edition of Creatures of Habit, I feature a product to help you implement this week’s habit.
I recently got a walking pad. BEST purchase in a long time. Not only do I get more steps throughout the day, but I also feel more creative and less distracted while using it.
The one I bought: Sharewin Walking Pad
CHALLENGE:
This week, try 20-30 minutes of cozy cardio one morning.
“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
Until next week!
- Jenna Gestetner :)