Archive for snow days

Weather

 adelie-penguinWhen it snowed earlier this month, I took a walk into Cleveland Park (into town sorta-like) to go to the post office.  Not only was it a joy to see everything freshly covered with white, but it was a nice chance to take a walk rather than just rush around doing errands. When do I ever go to the post office? Never.  Almost as infrequently as I go to the bank.  I never actually stand in line to deal with a teller at the bank anymore.

It is slightly harder – or more challenging – to walk on snow or ice.  Even slush presents a little “situation” that challenges you physically.  I think it’s a great idea to get a workout when weather is happening.  Whatever you decide to do, walk run, garden, do errands, it will change if there is weather to contend with.  Rain might make you walk faster.  Wind might make you tighter and burn more calories. Heat can make you sweat more. Snow will change how you step and balance.  Whatever the case may be, there is benefit in having to engage mentally in your physical activity. 

What do you do with a snow day?  It’s like a free well day.  Do you relax all day and be grateful for the extra handful of hours when nothing is awaiting your attention and nobody is expecting any work from you?  What a nice concept: a true day off from all things that fall into the labor category.  Or do you get up and make a list of all the things you can knock out since you were served a handful of extra hours to get all the stuff done that crowds your to do lists?  

Why are free days off so much better for getting things done? It might be the unexpectedness of the free time.  It’s like putting time money in the savings account.  You do your laundry, answer personal emails, dust and vacuum, make dinners in advance, or rearrange your linen.  You get some work done on your taxes, make a doctor’s appointment, reconcile your checkbook, cook chili, wash lettuce, order some stuff on line, talk to your mother and change your sheets and pillowcases.  You even meet a friend for lunch and walk to the Post Office.

Suggestion: if you don’t get snow days in your area, take one anyway…it’s sooo worth it.