My Stress Busting Routine

By Tracy Schruder

I’ve always been an active walker/jogger. Reaching back in memory, I became aware of its stress-busting effects back when I was 13 years old and training for Grade 8 track and field events. I wasn’t a fast runner, although I always believed I could be; I rarely won any running races, but I managed to win a ribbon or two at the end of the event. I remember inspiring my classmates to get out and train, whether it was driven by competition or otherwise, and this made me feel good. I started training that year by jogging around our little village from end to end each night after school.

I had a tough year that year, and was going through a lot of changes physically and emotionally. I found that after my run, things didn’t seem so tough. I felt a stress release. The sweat seemed to drive any negative thoughts or feelings right out of my pores. I would sometimes have a good cry during my runs. Sometimes my face turned a burning red, and I could feel the large, emotion-filled tears streaming down my cheeks, cooling them ever so slightly.

I ended up making some new friends that year because of my confidence and determination. Some of the more popular kids welcomed me into the fold. I found that jogging had made me a better person – a more easygoing, relaxed version of myself – and this welcomed a space for my peers to see that I wasn’t just a stressed-out kid, as I used to be, and I was less intimidating, I guess.

Before I discovered the magic of walking, jogging, and running, I was a very emotional child. I felt everything and everyone very deeply. I had no idea how to release these emotions and accept myself and others without all the stress that accompanied it until that year.

I now walk, run, or jog on my treadmill at least five times a week for no less than 30 minutes and no more than 1 hour. I couldn’t imagine my life without it. It’s my stress-busting secret. I’m more alive, calm, and focused afterward, and am able to be present and available for others because of this process.