EXERCISE....Or EXTRA FRIES?!?! Why Exercising is Important for NeuroSpicy Folks


How Exercising Outdoors Will Benefit You - Sprout Living

The dreaded part of the day where you have to get your steps in or burn a certain amount of calories.  We've all been there (even if you are a workout-aholic).  Executive dysfunction makes wanting to exercise even more of a challenge.  Studies have shown that when people with autism (and even ADHD) exercise, they're able to be more mindful, sharpens their focus, managing stress is easier, they're more emotionally aware, social skills are improved, increased ability to make eye contact, ability to imitate others and interpret non-verbal communication.  It's known by many that exercising can be effective in many ways.

Look at it this way, if you are exercising 30-minutes a day for 4-6 days out of the week, you are able to improve so many aspects of your health.  I included a news story in one of the videos below about a school of kids with autism who incorporated yoga into their routine and the behaviors of their students had decreased.  When you exercise, your body releases endorphins which relieves stress and anxiety and can make you happy (even if it's for a short moment). You also release dopamine which improves your mood.  Finally, you release norepinephrine which helps your body with responding to stress.  When you're on the autism spectrum and/or have an ADHD diagnosis, these are critical things that can make or break our autism symptoms.  

I know exercising can be hard, but what if there were ways you can exercise without going too hard and/or incorporating it into your daily routine?  

Well, let's say you want to workout today, but you don't have the energy?  What if you played a game!  Bring a friend or family member with you to play a little scavenger hunt while on a walk.  Use ChatGPT or Google little nature walk scavenger hunt lists....and BOOM! Here, I'll give you an example:

Here is the prompt I gave ChatGPT: I need to get my steps in today, but i'm not motivated to go for a walk. However, I'm in a curious state of mind right now. Can you come up with a little scavenger hunt list so I can go on a walk for about 30-45 minutes? What can i find? stuff like that...

Here's what it gave me:





EASY!  Even YOU can do it!  (IF YOU'RE A CAREGIVER, YOU CAN TAILOR IT TO FIT THE NEEDS OF YOUR CHILD)

Now, when I was at Disneyland in May, the day before I went to the parks, I was going CRAZY with excitement of going to the parks and I needed to get my energy out.  I did some intense workouts at the hotel gym.  It hurt afterwards, but I was able to get my energy out so I could fall asleep and be ready to get up at 6:30am the next day to rope drop.  I'm not saying or recommending this, but if you are needing to get that hyperactivity out...I would do strenuous workouts that can make your body feel relaxed.  

I'm no fitness expert, but as your NeuroSpicy advocate, I would recommend you do workouts that are at the level you are.  What do I mean by this?  Don't go try to run a mile when you've never even ran 1/2 of one...warm up to it.  Go on 30-minute walks and then warm up to running.  Don't overdo it!  Your body will thank you if you go slow.  

As of right now, for me, I try to get 10,000 steps in each day.  That is my goal.  That can be met by sweeping, mopping, walking my dog(s), cleaning, dancing, etc.

Set REASONABLE fitness goals.  Remember: if you take care of your body, it will take care of you.

What are some goals you can set right now?  What are some exercises you can do today?



https://cms.illinois.gov/benefits/stateemployee/bewell/getmoving/exercising-and-autism.html


If you liked this blog post, PLEASE comment down below what your favorite part was, share with your friends and family, etc.  Have any comments, questions, etc. about what you were reading? Reach out to me by messaging me on Instagram or TikTok @neurospicyblondie or email me  alyssa.onthespectrum@gmail.com.  








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