This is going to be a short one. Basically, I've been reading the book
The Power of Habit
and decided to try some of Charles Duhigg's ideas to the test. Specifically,
I'm trying to create making time for exercise a habit. This has many
benefits for my physical, and mental health. Plus it means I'll use less
gas when diving...and that's always a good thing!
So in order to replace my sedentry habit with a new one I need to interrupt
the "cue, behaviour, reward" cycle and replace the do nothing behaviour
with exercise. This is not as easy as it sounds, because I like to do
nothing :)
So I've been focussing on the "reward" part. What is it, after exercising,
can I look forward to? Other than "the end" of course. So I've been trying
to be as self-aware as I can when I finish exercise of the wonderful rush of
endorphins and subsequent dopamine hit. Then when I feel it, engross myself
in it. Absorb it! Let it become everything I focus on in that moment.
Rinse and repeat for a few gym sessions over the course of a week.
Now I find myself sitting at my desk and quite out of the blue, I want
that rush! I'm getting agitated sitting here typing this blog post! I want
to go exercise :) Seems like this book actually might work. Go figure.