My parents were wrong...

They were wrong when they told me that violence is never the answer. 
Sometimes it's just what the doctor called for. 
Now that I've shocked everyone let me clarify by saying I'm referring to letting off steam using kickboxing or something as simple as hitting a ball (in a sport like volleyball or baseball). There's something quite cathartic about releasing energy and pent up anger in this way. 

I've never been a very coordinated kid and was more academically focused but I still enjoyed playing the odd sport here and there. Now that I'm well into adulthood (scary) I didn't have the opportunity (in other words: gym class) to participate in sports and so they dropped off the map. Until...recently! My job and even my hobbies involve me sitting at a desk all day which is never healthy or advisable for long periods of time. I, of course, was invincible but my body decided to let me know this wasn't going to work out. Between back pains and eye strain I knew I needed a change. There was also the growing stress and anxiety of...life? The gym was never my cup of tea and fitness classes lost their luster a long time ago. Then a friend made the wonderful suggestion I sign up for something. That something turned into beach volleyball twice a week with a lovely group of casual players like myself. 

The first session I returned home covered in dust, with scraped knees, bruises and the widest grin on my face. In those two hours, my only focus was on getting that ball over the net everything else disappeared into the background. The next few days I might have been sore but I was also happy and excited for the next session. This had been better than any therapy I tried (just my personal experience so far). 

Now it's been a few weeks since I took up volleyball. Not only has it been nice to switch up my schedule but getting some fresh air and hitting something (the ball) has been amazing. The hardest part of all of this has been making myself show up. Once I'm on the court I'm thrilled to be there. As dramatic as it sounds I do feel like I use that anger and disappointment as fuel when I play. The distraction is welcome and I feel all the better for it. This was never about getting fit or being physically active (which I know are super important). Volleyball has surprisingly become more about my mental health and well-being than any of that. Turning to sports to help with my stress levels and finding it works for me has been a shock. I can only hope it continues. 

As a parting thought if you are in a rut try finding something to do whether it's sports, a new hobby, hiking or going to the gym etc. You never know how much it can help.