A little exercise to make it through

Spokers, 

If you are reading this, you are alive. 

And perhaps you have been holding your breath. 

A lot. 

I kindly invite you to take a deep breath in. 

And a deep breath out. 

And notice 3 things in front of you and 3 things behind you. 

And pause. 

How did that feel?

Have you heard of the spectacular book “Come As You Are:  The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life” by Dr. Emily Nagowski?  

(Surprising news) in it she talks a lot about sex. And pleasure. And consent.

And she also talks a lot about stress. And you might go, but Ellen, the book is about stress not sex.

Well, it happens to be that feeling very very stressed is a huge block for sparking pleasure or great sex in your life.

Nagowski discusses the importance of “completing the cycle” of stress.

Your body needs to let stress exit your system. It needs outlets to release, particularly after that stressful event has passed. 

And what was delightful to hear is Nagowski’s book talks about how movement is one key tool to complete the stress cycle, so you are not carrying all the stress in your body. 

And she’s not talking about doing a triathlon. She’s talking about some brisk movement, like a walk or a bike ride to help you destress.

If you are a human being in the US over the age of say 15, it should be no surprise to you that there is a consequential election happening tomorrow. 

And perhaps, like me, that’s meant you have been feeling stressed. There is a lot on the line here. 

A bike ride isn’t going to take away perhaps all the nerves, but giving yourself some extra TLC today and tomorrow to have outlets for your stress is going to be key. 

Take it or leave it. Perhaps today and tomorrow of all days is the day to dust off your bike and go for a brisk bike ride. 

And if you have yet to vote, rather than drive to the polls, bike to the polls. 

It’s not going to take away perhaps all that stress you’ve been carrying, but for a moment it might help to lighten the load. 

Wheels up, 

Ellen 

PS-Unsure where your polling location is? Check out the nonpartisan resource to help you navigate! https://www.vote411.org/