APPRECIATION #51: STRETCH & LAUGH

My first title of this post was EXCEPTIONS TO THINGS YOU TYPICALLY RANT ABOUT. This could be an interesting series, and question to ask people. I’d love to hear people’s answers to that. I’ll share one example here.

I love monotasking. As a way of doing things, it doesn’t seem as popular or recognizable as the opposite: multitasking. Whenever I type monotasking, there is a squiggly red line under the word. My computer is talking back to me saying, “don’t you mean something else?” When I type multitasking, my computer knows what I am talking about. It’s hard to monotask on a computer. (Restraining self from discussing typewriters.)

Of course, monotasking is kind of a thing. It’s one of those words like mindfulness, gratitude, flow, etc. that is used a lot in certain conversations these days. Whatever. I really appreciate monotasking, but don’t always do it well, etc.  I love, hence the first title of this post, when you find a good example to suggest that you don’t always think your preference is the best way to go about things. Which brings me to the second title of this post: Stretch & Laugh.

One of the most beneficial routines my wife and I got into these last few years was ending our day with a stretching session while watching a sitcom. It’s easy to end the day with television. It’s easy to consume nachos and beer while you are watching television. Consuming nachos and beer does not contribute to a healthy back, or other healthy things. But if you spend twenty minutes stretching, it’s harder to eat ice cream or drink beer after that. The show acts as a timer, an incentive, and a late night snack preventative.

Like brushing and flossing before bed,  or dusting and cleaning toilets at anytime, laying on the floor stretching does not sound particularly appealing despite the obvious benefits.  I look forward to the laughter, and my back has been in much better shape after stretching through several seasons of sitcoms. You can’t stop until the show is over.

I think, though I haven’t thought long and hard about it, this is one of my favorite examples of multitasking. And I’m going to get out of this chair and do it right now. I highly recommend it. I don’t have much health advice to dole out, but if asked, I think this would be it.