Chicago Color Run 2014

As summer progresses and the workload begins to weigh more and more—I am starting to realize how integral the exercising portion of my self-care practice truly is. It’s funny how something that we truly need so much—we often put on the back burner when life starts to get rough. However, as busy graduate students, we all need to find the time to practice our own unique ways of staying active for our health, our happiness, and even our sanity!

Bobbi

Yoga on Lake Michigan

When Bobbi Mckissick, (a fellow member of my cohort) personally gets overwhelmed by life, she turns to Yoga, running, and kick boxing as a way to sweat out her stress. She often attends free summer energizing workouts held at Millennium park on Saturdays and even teaches her own free yoga class by Lake Michigan (Tuesdays 7-8pm at Belmont Harbor via Fitness Formula Club). “Sweat dates with friends are one of my favorite ways of self care!” Bobbi says. When I am with Bobbi between class or before an exam, I often find her meditating or listening to music in her own space. I have always admired her many practices of self-care and she is definitely someone who keeps physical activity as a priority during stressful times!

Running on Lake Michigan

Tayne

Tayne Murphy, another lovely colleague of mine also works at FFC and states, “I love my job because I basically get paid to work out, and just being at the gym after internship and school is motivation to relieve some stress, eat healthy, and stay active.” Her favorite classes to teach are Tabata and Zumba because the participants inspire her to be creative as a fitness instructor. Tayne also loves to take strength and yoga classes when she can, and if she can’t make it to the gym, she loves to run by Lake Michigan. Tayne says, “After I run a couple miles, I just sit and enjoy the sun, water, and silence which doesn’t get to happen very often during my everyday routine before I run back home.”

Memorial Day Run

I personally enjoy a good yoga or dance class when I have the opportunity to squeeze them into my schedule, but I most often hit the gym, or even run home from work to sneak in some much needed cardio. Like Tayne and Bobbi, I also enjoy any excuse to run out to Lake Michigan and soak up the fresh air and silence whenever I can. My most influential form of self care is to SWEAT every day in some form, and this summer I’ve been diving more into the culture of running. With two races already under my belt this summer, I’m pumped for yet another on the way! At the end of the day whatever your activity is, it’s always important to make time for it. Especially during the busy times of life as a graduate student—so go get up and MOVE!

Color Run 2014