A Good Tired

In conversations with family and friends we often hear that they feel tired. Based on what is said it seems that the majority are mentally tired. Some of the factors that create this are:

• Stress of work/home.
• Health issues.
• Too much time looking at phones, computers and TV.

All of these keep our mind constantly engaged and zap our energy mentally, which is not a good kind of tired.

Years ago, we spent a greater percentage of our time doing physical activities. Whether it was playing outside as a child or doing household chores or yard work as an adult, we worked our bodies. We didn't have the constant distractions which keep our minds engaged whether we want to be or not. Having our minds stimulated by looking at a computer, smart phone, or TV with 200+ channels is enough to make anyone feel tired all the time.

Our society as a whole does not do the amount of physical labor that our bodies need. Whether it is because we have a desk job, or because we have become too accustomed to sitting, we are shortchanging ourselves and our health.   

In order to feel better we need to get to a "good tired". A good tired comes from doing physical labor. Working your body releases stress. When we are engaged in physical activity our mind tends to let go of all the things we think and obsess about. When we free our minds from the constant onslaught of sound and images, the mental exhaustion eases. A body tired from physical labor may feel a few aches and pains, but it also feels good. The physical activity allows your mind to truly relax and rest.

We may not love doing household chores, or shoveling snow in the winter, but when we do these things, it feels good. Our muscles may become sore, and we may not have the stamina we once had, but it is a good tired.

My goal for this year is to engage in more physical activity so I can get to that “good tired” which will free my mind of stress and allow my body to relax. Life’s too short to feel tired all the time.