Debbie Does Push-Ups! Day 10

120 Minutes to Feel Human Again

Dear Diary,

Today’s push-up goal is 120, representing the research showing that spending 120 minutes in nature each week is linked to better health and wellbeing.  Two hours.  That’s it.  Science confirming what most of us already feel in our bones.  That being outside equals better mood, better brain, better human.  Canadian Mental Health Association says, “Being surrounded by greenery calms the nervous system, lowers stress, and lifts mood.  Walks, parks, woods, forests, beaches … even just sitting outside helps.”  Yes!  I feel that and I know you do too.  Add movement outside?  Double mood boost.  Yoga outside.  Long walks on the beach.  Classic dating-profile material for a reason. Not a coincidence.

Canadian Winter Reality Check

If you’re reading from Canada (which most of you are; my creepy stats tracker says hi), you know this winter has been … aggressive.  I live in Innisfil, close to the water (love), and it feels like the heaviest snowfall in years.  I remember a stand-up comedian saying once,“OMG I live in Canada and it’s snowing. Yeah. No shit. It happens every year. Move to California if you don’t like it."  Fair. Funny. Also rude.  Today though, a warm Canadian zero degrees.  Gloomy but not freezing.  I woke up still feeling blah with this congestion nonsense, but this time I’m like:  “Ok body … finally! We’re moving stuff out.”  Nose blowing every five minutes. Super sexy. 

Valentine’s Morning Realness

We spent the morning inside, had breakfast, did some push-ups and watched a romantic movie (yes, full Valentine’s cheese).  We watched The Life List.  Sweet, simple, better than expected. We both cried.  More stuff coming out of my nose … emotional and sinus release.  Netflix.  Then we got out of the house.  Pho for lunch (extra spicy, medicinal level).  Errands. Dollarama run.  Portuguese Bakery stop because custard tarts are required birthday protocol obviously.  A good friend’s birthday later.  And honestly just being outside, walking to the car, walking to the restaurant, breathing fresh air made me feel noticeably better.  Not cured. But better.  Mother Nature doing her thing. 

Nature Memories (aka Proof It Works)

When I lived in Australia teaching yoga (14 years ago now, wow!), it was hot.  Every. Single. Day.  Like arm sizzling hot.  True story.  Ozone layer stuff.  Real stuff.  No sweaters.  Sun constantly.  Walking everywhere.  Yoga daily.  Vitamin D overload.  I remember being in a good mood almost every day.  Yes, life was adventurous and fun and single-girl exciting … But the sun and movement was for sure a massive part of it.  

(Also side note.  I went on a date to the Steve Irwin Zoo. Buddy spent the whole time bragging about money, how many cars and trucks he had and saying teenage Bindi Irwin (who was looking cute dancing on stage doing her thing) was “getting chubby.” Immediate hello no. Nature:  amazing. Zoo:  very cool.  Date: disaster.  Moving on.) 

Then Scotland.  Also teaching yoga.  Four months.  Rained. Every. Single. Day.  A student once came into class and said,  “Lovely morning eh Dib?”  Lovely??  The sun was out for maybe 12 minutes.  But I made the best of it.  People were hilarious, warm, genuine and kind.  And many mornings I walked 45 minutes in the drizzle at 5am to teach a 6:30 hot 90 minute class.  Could’ve taken the bus but I didn’t.  That walk was my morning meditation time.  My reflection time.  My quiet time.  My reset time.  Even in the rain, it felt good.  And when I came back to Canada in December it was cold, snowy … and SUNNY.  I didn’t realize how much I missed that light until I felt it again.

Back to Today

Reflecting on all this makes me want to go for a walk right now.  Will I?  No.  I still feel gross. Let’s be honest.  But this number stuck with me.  120 minutes a week outside is doable.  That’s 30 minutes × 4 days a week.  Very doable.  And if I want to run a 10K in June, I need to start walking again anyway.  Small steps.  Nature = mindful medicine.

Valentine’s Night Observations

Rui and I went to The Keg last night.  First Valentine’s as a married couple so obviously required.  And wow.  So many couples were on their phones.  Not talking.  Not looking at each other.  Like… you could’ve just ordered takeout and scrolled at home.  BUT.  There was one couple beside us, total opposite.  He was pouring her wine.  They were smiling, talking, fully present.  It was really sweet.  Later I ran into her in the bathroom and she said,  “Oh, you’re sitting near me right?”  I said yes and joked that I noticed she was in her “romance era.”  She laughed and said,  “It’s our third date!”  Then she says, “ I saw you and your guy holding hands… you two must be newly dating too, right?"  I said,  “Yep. Just started seeing each other too!”  We walked back giggling like high school girls.  (She clearly had a few glasses already and didn’t notice I was wearing a wedding ring. ;)   When I told Rui, he just smiled and said:  “It will always feel like we’re dating, my love. Because we’re us.”  Cheese level: elite.  I fully admit.  I love the cheese.   

Push-Up Reality Check

Full transparency.  I’m behind on my push-ups.  Today’s target: 120. Current count: 50. Yesterday: I did some,  not all.  BUT tomorrow is a “rest day,” so I’ll catch up then.  Because that’s what this challenge is teaching me:  You don’t need perfect days.  You just keep showing up.  Rest when needed.  Push when needed.  Start again tomorrow. 

Final Thoughts

Get off the phone.  Get outside.  Breathe some real air.  Move your body if you can.  Sit in the sun if you can’t.  Nature helps.  Love helps.  Connection helps.  Presence helps.  And whether you’re single, coupled, or somewhere in between:  Buy yourself the flowers.  Eat the chocolate. Go for the walk. Hold someone’s hand.  Or hold your own.  Because the goal isn’t perfection.  It’s feeling human again.

— Yoga Debb

Building strength, mindset, and real-life consistency; one breath at a time 💗