Being a parent will [often, sometimes, almost never] provide enough time in the day for self-care. What is self-care? Let’s describe self-care as whatever is needed to help keep the body and mind healthy. For example, listening to music while [headbanging, screaming, singing, driving] to pick your kids up from school might be considered a healthy stress reliever. Other forms of healthy habits could include reading while waiting in said car rider line for pickup. Or going for a run for however many miles your [young, old, older] legs might take you.
What Does Running Look Like?
Music is necessary. Much like mowing the lawn, if there aren’t tunes playing in your earbuds, it is not a fun, let alone tolerable, activity. Not that running is fun, per se, but it’s an arduous task that creates a semblance of joy once you’ve reached a particular milestone during the run. Perhaps your lungs are burning before you hit the half-mile mark and you absolutely hate your life in that moment. Maybe your legs suddenly feel like the bones are covered in adamantium. Or you have an energy output reading that registers something to the feel of 1%.
Does anyone else feel that way during a run? Let’s just say the answer is yes, and the will to continue running is [plentiful, 50/50, painful at best]. If you’re a runner and you’ve run many times before, there’s a sense of “I’ve done this before so I can do it again.” This mentality does help when fighting through those first-mile hurdles. If you’ve never run before and you are interested, there might be similar challenges. If you’ve never run, start with walking. Walking is a great starting point to get used to moving the body and an activity easier to do with other people, because not everyone loves the idea of running.
Running with your partner, a friend, or your child is the only exception to running without music. It can be a motivating factor for someone to have another person alongside them. If you run solo, it’s a great opportunity to clear your mind and solely focus on the path ahead, and the music blasting in your ears, of course. This clarity also provides time where creative ideas pop up – whether that be story ideas, house projects, date night ideas, activities with your kids, and the list can go on. For those interested in finding a reset button for your headspace, running might be a great opportunity to relieve some of the stresses that come in day-to-day life.
Whether you’re an experienced runner or a beginner, always trust your instincts. If you’re not sure you should push through those burning lungs, or you’re feeling a twinge of pain somewhere you’re not used to, it’s okay to slow your pace and then walk. If you don’t have running shoes, or the right running shoes for you, consider a local running shop or shoe store to help protect your body during such a grueling exercise. Shoes can be expensive; however, it ends up being cheaper than the physical therapy (PT) required if you happen to experience a problem.
A Geeky Parent’s Personal Experiences with Running
I first started running in 2004, but that was after I started walking for a few days (or weeks) to get acclimated. I ran four or five times a week for the next nine or ten years, minus the winter months when I’d use an elliptical machine as a substitute. Then, we had two kids and I made the choice to stop running to spend as much time with them as possible.
Fast forward to a year and a half ago, when my kids started enjoying time to themselves more than time with old mum and dad, and I wanted to be [sluggish, fit, not so sluggish] again. It’s also important to recognize how trying life has been and how running could be a way to get back to clearing up headspace, while being physically active – and that’s a major plus for me.
I always rely on a playlist I create specifically for running (or mowing the lawn). This playlist keeps me happy and motivated. But it doesn’t have to be music; you could listen to a podcast, audio book, or audio drama. Whatever works for you is perfect. I happen to prefer heavy guitar riffs and a semi-screaming kind of life for my runs. Yes, I will throw some lighters songs into the mix, which is a nice counterbalance when I find myself walking.
Full disclosure: I walk a lot. I run as much as I can before I need to stop. Once I regain whatever energy I have to continue, I pick up the pace and get back to it. This happens continuously throughout my entire exercise – and it’s always been this way for me. I have friends who can run the entire time they’re out, but that is not sustainable for me. This means that everyone runs or walks at their own pace, and that will always be okay. Running, if that’s for you, looks however you want it to look. Go full Phoebe, if you want.
Fast, slow, whatever. If you happen to experience pains, listen to your body. For example: A knee problem could arise. This happened to me last year and I had to find a way to take care of my knees. Let’s just say more expensive shoes (after PT) helped resolve that issue for me, and it’s an unfortunate cost I must now save for, if I want to consider running a long-term activity. I’ve also gone running a few times with my son. My wife and I used to walk regularly during the warmer seasons. We’ve also done family walks to our local farmer’s market and beyond.
Exercise can be a great reset for us parents, but it can also be an avenue for spending time together. Walk down to your local farmer’s market. If you’re close to a restaurant or takeout spot, walk to grab lunch or pickup food. Again, running [is the best thing ever, sucks, is great] for me, but I’ve found a formula that helps me get through such a trying activity.
What Music Will You Find on My Playlist?
If you’re looking to rock out during your exercise, there are a few bands that always tend to find their way onto my rotation. To name a few: Deftones, Chevelle, Queens of the Stone Age, Seether, Korn, Nirvana, Paramore, Muse, and AITA.
Not all of the music is super heavy and headbanging galore. Sometimes, having a good mix of great alternative rock is much needed. “Burning” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs, “The Epilogue” by Crosses, “Happier Than Ever” by Billie Eilish, and “Zero Chance” by Soundgarden are a few variously paced songs that give my headspace a nice reset.
If you’re looking to jam out while running or whatever exercise helps provide self-care, check out this list of songs:
- “Royal” by Deftones
- “Rivers” by Chevelle
- “Tongue” by Seether
- “Now” by Paramore
- “Swerve City” by Deftones
- “Chop Suey!” by System of a Down
- “Breed” by Nirvana
- “Start the Healing” by Korn
- “Goon Squad” by Deftones
- “Medication” by Queens of the Stone Age
- “Push It” by Garbage
- “Emergency Contact” by AITA
If you have any exercises, or music playlists, that help you as a parent unwind, destress, or find a way to self-care, share them in the comments or where you find the GPG on social media.
Until next time, friends, happy parenting and happy geeking.
