Three valuable lessons I learned from running 20 minutes each day

How does a working mom of two keep it together during a global pandemic? If I can be completely honest, not as well as I hoped. By the summer of 2020, I was eight months into a demanding new job and had two small kids learning remotely from home. I felt my mental health declining. After spending four months working, eating, and homeschooling from my kitchen table, I was feeling nuttier than a fruitcake and was desperate for some alone time. But with nowhere to go, I turned to running as my only outlet.

Seven months and over 200 runs later, these are the valuable lessons I learned:

1. I need a break from technology

The endless dings of Slack notifications, text messages, emails and wrist haptics eventually take their toll on me. Just being alone and away from the gravitational pull of my devices is liberating and puts me back in the moment to simply focus on running.

2. Running resets my brain

Before a run, I usually have a reel of scattered thoughts and reminders going through my mind. Once I’m in the rhythm of running, my mind begins to calm itself and I quietly think through any problems I’m facing that day. It’s this power of running that puts me in a better frame of mind when I return.

3. It’s important to have my own thing

After deciding to resign from my job last fall, I often feel like my career has taken a giant step backwards. Running gives me back control in the moments where I feel lost and anxious. I like that it’s become part of my identity and helps me feel more secure in who I am and what I value most.

Self-care might look a little different for everyone during this time, but finding something that supports your mental health is worth the time and investment.