Rite 8: Physical Exercise

Completing the Stress Cycle

In Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking Stress Cycle, Emily and Amelia Nagoski present some lovely and compelling research on how our bodies hold and release stress physiologically. Hearing their conclusion still makes the book well worth a careful read. And, without compromising the depth of their work, their research suggests that stress comes in cycles, that our brains have yet to evolve into distinguishing between the threat of a ravening lion and a critic. All threats require a physiological activity to “complete” the cycle of stress and flush the adrenaline and cortisol that our brains generate without our explicit permission. Like running away from the lion until we have some healthy distance, we might consider literally running/swimming/speed walking/wheeling away from a comment or residue. Leave it at the starting point. Cry while moving. Or fighting the lion by visiting a punching bag and then leaving it at the gym. Laughter, yoga, breath work, stretching, steam rooms can also do this for immediate stress.

But with a larger, more habituated residue, perhaps consider a Lenten long run/walk/swim/wheel, like a daily journey, or a pilgrimage—like the Camino de Santiago or Lycian Way or West Highland Way—by foot or bike or whatever means, which can readily be combined with the rock ritual. The mindfulness opportunity might be to work it out of the body.

But physical exercise is not necessary. Consider the above referenced sweat ceremony. Many locales offer a respectful sweat lodge ceremony (the closest to Houston I know of is in Wimberly on Saturdays) that can be the more intense opportunity for a deeper residue, more of a rite of passage than the above section, which might be approached as a rite of renewal. Be mindful of dehydration and pay attention to your body (which is why a guide is always helpful and can also help curate the experience to be holistic and not simply appropriative). I have done a sweat lodge exactly once and temperatures in the lodge were well above 140 degrees and I was young, over hydrated, and still needed 48 hours to re-hydrate fully. Or even consider engaging in a comedian with the attention to laugh a residue out, whether live or recorded. Thich Nhat Hahn frequently describes the relaxation of bodily muscles that comes from smiling. Consider a smile marathon, even just 5 minutes a day for a season that is attached to joy in the presence of your residue.