Expat Happiness Tip #7: Shake Up Your Exercise Routine!

Posted on 25. May, 2009 by Emmanuelle Archer in Blog, Expat Life, Tools & Resources
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As an expat, chances are that your exercise routine has been affected by your move. You left behind your favourite gym and the friends with whom you used to exercise. You do not know where to find a reputable trainer in your new location, or maybe there are no teachers available for your favourite form of exercise.

That would be enough to make anyone fall off the bandwagon!

Today, we explore ways to make exercise part of your expat lifestyle again, or how to shake things up a little if your current routine is not entirely fulfilling.

Happiness tip: regular exercise is not only good for your body, it will also boost your happiness levels. You may already know that physical activity lifts your spirits by generating endorphins, which is why exercising is recommended in the treatment of depression. The good news is that it also has several long-term benefits:
- Stress reduction – something all expats can use!
- Opportunities to socialise and meet new people – a key happiness booster in its own right;
- Sense of personal achievement as you master new skills – all the more important and rewarding when other aspects of your expat life may feel baffling or overwhelming.

Unsporty types, take note: being physically active does not necessarily mean working out. If like me you hate going to the gym, or if you are not into team sports, look for an activity that feels like play, not hard work.

For example, after I moved to Vancouver, I took up kayaking and cross-country skiing. I love both activities because they take me places and allow me to enjoy the stunning landscapes of British Columbia. They are fun (if really tiring!) ways to discover more of this beautiful part of the world – and yes, they give me a good workout and help me get plenty of fresh air, but really, that is the icing on the cake.

What activities would allow you to make the most of your current location? Does your new country have a national sport or a traditional pastime that you would like to try? If you live in a different climate than back home, what new outdoor activities are available to you now?

Will you try your hand at cricket, go scuba diving, skate on a frozen canal or get the family together for a hike up the nearest mountain? Oh the possibilities!

In some locations, outdoor activities are just not possible. The weather may be too extreme. Leaving the compound or the neighbourhood may be unsafe. The air may be too polluted. Everyone may be staring at you if you go for a jog or a walk, and the streets may be full of potholes anyway (sidewalks of Beirut, I am looking at you! PS: I love you nonetheless)

You may be faced with other restrictions, such as not having a gym nearby, or suffering from health issues that prevent you from exercising too vigorously.

Does that mean that you cannot reap the benefits of an active lifestyle? Thankfully, no it doesn’t.

The alternative is to develop a personal practice in the comfort of your own home. And when I say comfort, pretty much all you need is your body and a bit of floor space, so do not worry if you live in small quarters.

One of the easiest and most rewarding practices to start at home is yoga. You do not need any fancy equipment and you can learn at your own pace with DVDs (that you can mail order if they are not available locally). Some yoga styles will give you a good workout, others will be gentler. They will all make you more flexible, allow you to safely stretch your limits and leave you more relaxed and serene after your practice.

Meditation is another personal practice that will bring you many physical and mental benefits. On the surface, it may look like nothing is happening while you are meditating… but it is more active than it seems! With a little discipline and regular practice, meditation will help sharpen your focus, still your inner chatter and, over time, allow you to experience more and more lasting moments of contentment. Not too bad for what looks like just sitting around, right?

So, what activities are you tempted to try? What sounds like fun?
If you need more ideas, or if you find it hard to exercise for reasons I didn’t cover here, leave a comment and I will be happy to brainstorm with you!

Emmanuelle