Spring brings sunshine, more time to enjoy the outdoors and the beauty of nature blooming. Spring offers the perfect inspiration to get out and get moving. We are very passionate about movement, exercise and feeling fit as a pathway to happiness. In fact, exercise is one of the most important tools in the happiness toolbox. Countless studies prove it is vital to mental, emotional and physical health and even more powerful than most antidepressants, heart medications and sleeping pills. It also offers a great way to release negative energy, get a new perspective, increase self-confidence and grow ourselves. Having ridden our bicycles across the state of California twice in the past three years in support of those with HIV/AIDS, we can attest to the endless and often unexpected benefits of exercise. With lots of time to be present with ourselves, it was easy to work out life tensions in the saddle. This is similar to working stuff out on the yoga mat, the tennis court, surf board, or any other sport you engage in.
Life Lessons from Athletes
We recently published an article on Life Lessons from Athletes. Whether you play sports or believe you are an athlete, we all have an inner athlete and can use fitness to get stronger, overcome perceived limitations and expand our consciousness. As an athlete you have to learn to get out of your own way, act in spite of fear, work together as a team and go for your goals. In our private coaching practice we find that athletes and the arena of sport parallel important life lessons we can all benefit from.
Check out our latest article published on Psychcentral – Life Lessons from Athletes
Hilary Stokes Ph.D. and Kim Ward Ph.D. have been a team for 20 years, specializing in mind, body, spirit psychology. They are the authors of the bestselling books The Happy Map: Your roadmap to the habit of happiness and Manifesting Mindset: The 6-step formula for attracting your goals and dreams and founders of Authenticity Associates Coaching and Counseling. They are passionate about combining the best of holistic and traditional approaches to health and happiness.