Legalize It
“Legalize it, don’t criticize it. Legalize it yea-ah-yea-ah, and I will advertise it.”
Bob Marley
Exercise is my drug of choice. I’m not an athlete. I was the last one picked for team sports. I never qualified for the Presidential Fitness Award in middle school. I tried out for high school swim team and puked in the pool after the first practice. At 19 my boyfriend and I rode our bikes to Lake Michigan, which sounded like a great idea, until I realized it was over 50 miles one-?way. He had to bribe me to go the distance with a hot fudge sundae at mile 27. I have memories of sobbing in the woods after less than 30 minutes of cross-?country skiing because I was tired, wet, out of wine and hopelessly lost (in more ways than one.) In my 20’s, I rationalized if I ate less, I wouldn’t need to break a sweat to keep my body looking good. Yeah, right.
I didn’t succumb to drug peer pressure, until my 30’s. The eat less strategy was a youthful delusion. A propensity for generalized anxiety made my mind race and I often felt I couldn’t take a deep breath. I had yet to fulfill a phys-?end credit for undergrad so I decided to register for a circuit training class. I was the un-?cool girl in a room of fitness junkies. Despite my incessant whining and moaning, my body became more fit, my mind cleared, I could breath deeply. Circuit training was my gateway drug. I joined the YMCA and was at the gym by 5:30am throughout grad school. My daily fix gave me the edge, stamina and clarity to successfully complete my degree.
During my MSW internship, an avid runner client asked me if I ran. GULP!!!!! Sure, I worked out, but running was an entirely different class of buzzdom. My standard deflection was that my “ladies” had too much bounce to the ounce to sustain running. This client told me of a sports bra, guaranteed to tame the ta-?ta’s. It did. I started 30-?second intervals on the treadmill, walking then running. Over time I could run a mile, two, eventually three! I reveled in blissful high. I closed my eyes during one high to more fully engage in the moment, which resulted in my crash of
shame. Trail running further intensified my high. I could enjoy the beauty of my surroundings and experience varied terrain and surfaces (my favorite was mulch.)
I consider myself a hopeful addict. I work out five or six mornings a week. I deal my drug and its wonderful benefits in therapy as an adjunctive treatment for anxiety and depression. Unfortunately, the majority of our society continues to “jones” for the no pain, no effort, fix from big pharma. I am able to convince a few, who are intrigued by the quality and purity of what I offer. Once hooked, they are lifelong consumers. Ironically, I successfully end therapy with a balanced, happy, addicted customer.
Don’t take my word for it. Here are some impressive stats from some highly regarded sources (and one psychotherapist?.)
Mayo clinic cites the mental benefits of exercise:
Releases neurotransmitters and endorphins (feel-?good brain chemicals) that ease depression.
Reduces the stress hormones adreneline and cortisol.
Increases body temperature, which has a calming effect.
Has been linked to a 52% decrease in dementia
Harvard Medical School states the behavioral benefits of exercise:
As your waistline shrinks and your strength and stamina increase, your self-? image will improve.
You’ll earn a sense of mastery and control and of pride and self-?confidence.
Your renewed vigor and energy will help you succeed in many tasks.
The discipline of regular exercise will help you achieve other important lifestyle goals.
The Mental Health Foundation recognizes exercise as a way to:
Improve sleep
Increase energy
Reduce anger and frustration
Make social connections (which contributes to overall well-?being)
AND just in case you are still on the fence…
The magazine longevity, cites that exercise:
Improves sexual performance
Increases sex drive
Helps sexual aging
Reduces erectile dysfunction
Since I’m on a high, I’ll add my top 10 benefits of exercise…
From Laurie Boussom, LISW-?CP aka: the dealer:
It’s FREE
It’s legal in 52 states
There are no adverse side effects
It doesn’t show up on a drug panel
It IS habit forming (remember it takes about 30 days to form a habit)
You don’t need to hide your use from friends and family
The gym is your AA or NA
On average you live six years longer
You feel great from the inside out
Sweat is the new sexy