A Running Mom

Photo Credit: mendelza

Today I ran with my 3 daughters, my son and his friend, and our dog, Lulu.  We went to a nearby park where I love to run.  This was a special run for me for a bunch of reasons: 1. I am sore from my 6-mile run yesterday, so it was good to go for a light run 2. All three of my tween daughers ran with me, for at least a little while 3. It was a gorgeous day for getting outside and doing something physical together

As we were running back through this huge field, kicking a ball to keep us running and pushing each other to run faster, my eldest daughter and I couldn’t stop laughing, as we kept kicking the ball in front of each other and then raced to get to it first. I felt like I was 8 again, playing with my BFF, laughing while catching my breath and running with no form at all; just running to get to where I needed to go. It was bliss.

My son ran so fast he fell into a heap, trying to get to that ball.

It’s a priceless memory for me already, for the perfect mix of sun, fall, laughter and effort.

Do you run with your kids? What are your fave runs to enjoy together?

May your next run be a good one.

Rebecca

happy friends make us happy

Photo Credit: www.entrepreneurthearts.files.wordpress.com

I love it when a study comes out that kinda makes you go “hmmm…” This is exactly the case with a recent study that shows that if you have sisters, you’re likely to be a happier person. How ’bout that? I think about me, as the youngest in my family, with 6 sisters, and I have to wonder, is this why I’m a happy person?

When I look back at growing up with 6 sisters, I cannot say it felt like a party. I often felt like I had 6 mothers. But according to a new study from England, growing up with sisters makes you happier and more optimistic. Professor Tony Cassidy from the University of Ulster explains:

Sisters appear to encourage more open communication and cohesion in families. However, brothers seem to have the alternative effect. Emotional expression is fundamental to good psychological health and having sisters promotes this in families.

Cassidy says that this may be because boys are taught not to discuss things the way girls are. Those who scored the lowest in terms of happiness and optimism were boys who had only brothers. Only children scored somewhere in the middle.

My sisters may have made me a happy person, but I bet there’s a study to be found to suggest that close, female friendships make you a happy person, too. I look at my life today and fully realize that I have a wonderful group of women in my life that inspire me, push me on and make me laugh on a daily basis. And isn’t that what happiness is all about?

It’s why I’m running in the morning around a little lake with hills, with a friend who makes me laugh.

Maybe she’s like a sister. Maybe I’ve been lucky enough to forge some great friendships that have become to me like a bunch of sisters who just keep making me happy.

In any case, I’m considering myself lucky. And happy. How do you find ways for emotional expression so you can enjoy “good psychological health.” Do you have sisters? Friends who are like sisters? Do you think this makes the difference for you?

May your next run be a good one.

Rebecca