Take the Happy Heart Challenge đź’• ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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Whether you celebrate Valentine’s Day or not, I invite you to participate in my “Happy Heart Challenge”.
Happy Heart Challenge When: Tuesday, February 14th What:
- Grab a loved one and get outside for at least 30 minutes (you can break this into smaller more manageable chunks of time if need be) of physical activity (examples: walking, play a game of disc golf, shoot some hoops, snowshoe, etc).
- Leave a comment on the CRF blog and let me know what fun outdoor activity you and your beloved did together!
Why: Participating in this challenge will not only provide mental and physical health benefits, but it will also strengthen the bond of your relationship.
Did you know? Studies show that couples report feeling more satisfied with their relationship and more in love with their partner after jointly participating in an exciting physical challenge or activity (Aron, Norman, Aron, & Heyman, 2000).
If you don’t have a “romantic partner” or SO, then grab a friend or invite a co-worker or neighbor to join you - your invitation and your time together will make them feel loved, and that means a happy heart for both of you!
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”—Leo Buscaglia
Together is better! I highly encourage you to find a workout partner (it doesn’t have to be your spouse or SO), and ideally it should be somebody who generally has a similar level of fitness and motivation as you.
Benefits of Having a Workout Partner:
- Motivation - MOST of us need motivation to workout, and a workout buddy is a great way to stay motivated.
- Encouragement - Your workout partner can provide moral support and positive reinforcement.
- Consistency - Starting an exercise routine is easy, staying consistent can be the difficult part. Honor your plans you make together and hold each other accountable.
- Accountability - You will be more committed to your goal and more likely to succeed, especially when you don’t want to let a friend down (guilt can be a powerful motivator).
- Fun - When exercising with a buddy you are less likely to get bored, and there tends to be less dread attached to working out. Plus you can celebrate your progress together, and associate positive emotions to working out.
- Competition - A little bit of friendly competition can be motivating to challenge yourself more.
- Safety - Having somebody with you can make both outdoor and gym sessions safer than if you were by yourself.
- New Experiences - While it’s great to have friends who like the same activities as you, embracing relationships outside of your tribe can introduce variety and the opportunity to try or learn something new!
Adventure awaits… enjoy it together!
Kristen
P.S. If you are looking for a way to show your partner some LOVE, or perhaps it’s time that you show yourself some love, consider giving the gift of good health. Use the coupon code hike2023 to receive $25 off enrollment in the HIKE-ABILITY Training Program. Don’t wait though, this offers ends soon (2/15/23)!
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References Aron, A., Norman, C. C., Aron, E. N., McKenna, C., & Heyman, R. E. (2000). Couples' shared participation in novel and arousing activities and experienced relationship quality. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 78, 273-284.
Disclaimer: All information, content, and material (including associated text, videos, and links) on this website is provided in good faith and is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. All exercise has inherent risks. Before beginning any type of exercise, please consult your health care provider.
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