How Exercise Makes Happier Hostesses
Today I’m sharing my thoughts on entertaining and exercise, and how they work together. I’m really interested if you feel the same way.
I’m passionate about entertaining, inviting people into our home to share a meal and soul connection. It’s powerful what one night with friends and meaningful talk can do for a person. It brings encouragement. Encouragement means to “bolster one’s courage.”
It think of Eleanor Roosevelt’s quote:
“We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face… we must do that which we think we cannot.”
Obviously, you don’t have to exercise at all to have people in to your home, but one thing I’ve learned is that I’m a much happier hostess when I take care of my body and exercise – regularly. (Above photo on an early morning walk.)
I won’t go into the many reasons why we all need exercise, except to say that if I’m going to have energy for others, I need energy myself.
(My friend Jenny’s Labradoodle and Goldendoodle, Bella and Finnegan. Aren’t they cute?)
It also helps build relationships while exercising with friends.
Exercise actually brings energy to my body, soul, and mind.
Body – We all know the implications of exercise and health.
Soul – When I “share life” with my running partners, it’s good for the soul.
Mind – When I’m out by myself exercising I can pray, meditate, and focus on good thoughts.
It all works together for good when we have company over. I’m more pleasant with my family ahead of time, I’m more organized in my mind as to what needs to be done, I can focus and plan, and then it all comes together to make a HAPPY HOSTESS and a happy event.
Do you think exercise benefits your life and relationships?
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
Oh Sandy!
I just love this post!!! And as a dog person, I loved your pics! :-) And yes, I completely agree with you.
Exercise is so important to my overall health, happiness, and well being…and yes, it makes me a better hostess. Every afternoon, my son and I take our dog, Obi-Wan, ;-) for a walk. The dog is happy, my son is happy and chats with me (something wonderful since he is a teenager!), and I’m happy…and I breath better which relaxes me for whatever lies ahead…a dinner party or just a simple meal by the fire with my family.
Also, I have to share that I was in Arizona this weekend at a patient symposium offered by the Mayo Clinic. (BTW – I am doing well and my platelet count is staying under 1 Mil…yipee) And the one thing that every doctor said – one after the other – was exercise, exercise, exercise. They couldn’t stress it enough. Many of the patients said…”Ugh”…but the docs all said that it didn’t have to be strenuous. Just walking around the neighborhood – and not even breaking a sweat – will do wonders for our health both physical and mental. They also put a lot of emphasis on Tai Chi (sp?) and meditation or prayer. And I really have to concur. Since I started taking the time to walk leisurely I feel so much better. I used to stress about not exercising “the right way” (you know – huffing and puffing) I would wind up doing nothing. It was my son who convinced me that to just walk with him and the dog would do me wonders. How right he was.
So I would say to anyone who thinks of exercise as something unpleasant – just start with walking. It really is fun and easy. There was even an article in the AARP paper about it this month about how older folks (I’m almost 54) who start walking are in better shape, better health, and weigh less than folks who are sedentary.
Thanks for a great post and reminding us how to take care of ourselves as well as others by opening our homes. :-) (I sill can’t believe how much I entertained this holiday season because of your encouragement!)
Love,
Mary
As a fitblogger, I sure hope my answer would be yes! I 110% believe it affects every area of our lives—be it entertaining, parenting, or being a spouse. It will look different for every person at different phases of life but it is crucial!!!
Yes exercise benefits my life by working off my crankiness and improving my health. My family appreciates when I’ve been on the treadmill because I’m more calm, cool and collected. And at 50, that’s a good thing! :)
I’m sure that exercise makes me more energetic and able to have guests as well as be a nicer person to be around. Your book came up as we were talking at our church one day about how we could minister to one another more and then a friend recommended it to go along with my blog on family mealtimes. I’m excited to find your blog and get ideas from you!
I wholeheartedly agree with you… Health breeds happiness, and exercise even in the short term really zaps stress, making hostesses happier. Great article!
I could not agree more! Wish we lived closer and could share a meal and a soul connection with our hubbies. I just know that it would be magnificent.
I completely agree! For me, exercise just clears out my brain, sets me on a new and clear road. It makes you feel better about yourself which makes for a better hostess/person all around.
YES! I will often plan day time events late enough so that I can squeeze in a workout and prep work before having people over! I also feel less guilty about enjoying my food!
Oh yes! Absolutely! When I’m fit and in a good place physically, I’m ready to tackle anything!
You are so right, Sandy. If you can keep up the exercise routine when there’s a lot of other things going on, it certainly helps you stay focused. When I’m hosting a big dinner, we usually take our guests out for an late afternoon/early evening walk around our little lake just up the street. We get out, burn some calories and come back to the house relaxed and ready to eat.
Absolutely! If I didn’t know it made such a difference for me, I would not get up at 5:30 a.m. to do it!! Plus, I like to eat the desserts I make! :)