We all understand the dynamics: When two people feel tired and cranky, they are much more likely to have a bad experience trying to work together than the joyful, creative, relationship-building experience they may have when they are in a good mood and feel centered and creative. Likewise, when trying to solve a problem by myself — whether dealing with an intellectual challenge, a personal or leadership issue, or a practical problem at work or home — if I’ve had time to exercise and reflect, I feel I am more creative, a better problem solver, and better able to find “win-win” solutions to whatever I’m wrestling with.
This has implications for our personal well-being, for our relationships (as volunteers and as kids being tutored or mentored), and for the overall civic health of a community. That’s why we organize weekly Community Yoga at Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park and in the past, CivicFest and Neighborhood Field Days (2017) as a fun way to get people exercising outdoors, meeting their neighbors and building the foundation for stronger communities and lives.
Watch our founder and executive director, Tom Pollak, take us through a week of his daily runs!
Articles & Blog Posts
- The exercise effect
“Evidence is mounting for the benefits of exercise, yet psychologists don’t often use exercise as part of their treatment arsenal. Here’s more research on why they should.” December 2011, Vol 42, No. 11. Print version: page 48.
Kim Weir, American Psycholical Ass’n Monitor on Psychology Dec. 2011. - The Benefits of Exercising Outdoors
“While the allure of the gym — climate-controlled, convenient and predictable — is obvious, especially in winter, emerging science suggests there are benefits to exercising outdoors that can’t be replicated on a treadmill, a recumbent bicycle or a track.”
Gretchen Reynolds, Feb. 21, 2013. - Closest Thing to a Wonder Drug? Try Exercise
“The overall results of 23 randomized controlled trials showed that exercise most likely improves the symptoms of depression. Five others appear to show that it improves symptoms in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. In trials, exercise even lessened fatigue in patients who were having therapy for cancer.”
Aaron E. Carroll is a professor of pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine. - Physical Activity Improves Cognitive Function: Regular physical activity can improve brain function throughout a lifespan. (April 9, 2014) Christopher Bergland
Books
- Healthy Brain, Happy Life: A Personal Program to Activate Your Brain and Do Everything Better. Wendy Suzuki
- Exercise for Mood and Anxiety: Proven Strategies for Overcoming Depression and Enhancing Well-being (2011), Michael Otto & Jasper A.J. Smits
- The Upward Spiral: Using Neuroscience to Reverse the Course of Depression, One Small Change at a Time (2015)
Alex Korb PhD
Model Programs (and Nations!)
We’ve found a range of interesting programs serving youth as well as people of all ages. We suggest starting with the short article on Finnish elementary school education. It’s simplicity and success speak for themselves!
