It's a cold January morning.
Your car sits in the parking lot.
You stare at the mountain.
Should you go or not?
We've all been there, which is why we love this 1-question rule to help crush that hike / goal / workout every time!
THE 1-QUESTION RULE
The question we use is simple - "How will I feel after completing my hike?" But don't let the simplicity of the question fool you, there is a lot of power in looking beyond the immediate warm car and challenge of moving out into the cold. By looking to the future and how we will feel after a hike, we get to move ourselves to that mental space and use that feeling to get ourselves moving.
First, remind yourself of the benefits of hiking. Not only is it a great form of exercise, but it can also help reduce stress, improve mood, and boost your immune system. Additionally, being in nature has been shown to improve cognitive function and creativity.
Another great way to get motivated is to find a hiking buddy - even if that hiking buddy happens to be your future self! Having someone to hike with can make the experience more enjoyable and provide accountability. It's much harder to back out of plans when you have someone else (your future YOU) counting on you.
Lastly, remind yourself of the rewards of hiking. The feeling of accomplishment after reaching the summit, the beautiful views, and the sense of peace that comes with being in nature can make the chilly morning worth it.
WHAT IF THE ANSWER IS... NO?
Sometimes when we ask how we'll feel after our hike, the answer could be that our body is just not up to it. And that is totally fine! Sometimes our body needs to take time for recovery, especially if it is feeling overworked or sleep deprived.
When that happens, taking the next step to give your body the rest and recovery it needs may just be the best way to reach your true, long-term goals of wellness & activity. Taking a day for recovery, whether by doing a focused stretching routine with your favorite youtube yoga channel, getting in a nap, or using some specific recovery tools like an Ice Sleeve to target those sore muscles or joints that need a little extra TLC.
When the right answer is to NOT go on the hike, make that next right choice of helping your body on the road back to recovery. Get some KT Tape applied and be ready for tomorrow!
