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What to do when my legs say yes, but my head says no?
Yesterday I had an amazing run. The weather was perfect, and my legs felt incredible. They were strong and fast, and I felt like I could have run forever. But today, my head is telling me that I shouldn’t have run yesterday. My neck hurts, and my calves are sore. Why did I push myself so hard yesterday when my body is clearly telling me not to? Is it really worth it?
1. Understand why you’re feeling this way
Reasons why your head may be saying no
Reasons why your head may be saying no after your legs have said yes can vary. Maybe you’re just feeling a little sore from your previous run, and your body is telling you to take it easy today. Or, maybe you’re injured without any obvious physical symptoms to any particularly affected limb, but your body, brain and nervous system are trying to protect themselves regardless. Whatever the reason, it’s important to listen to what your body is telling you and not push yourself too hard…however.
Reasons why your legs may be saying yes
There can be a few reasons why your legs are saying yes when your head is saying no. Maybe you’re feeling fresh and rested after taking a few days off from running. Or, you may have just had an easy run the day before, and your body is well-rested and ready to go again. Whatever the reason, if your legs are feeling good, it’s important to listen to them and not let your head get in the way.
How to reconcile the two conflicting voices
This can be hard as which do you listen to? In this case, perhaps lean towards caution as you should listen to your head over your legs in most situations. This is because if you are feeling any type of pain, whether it be from a previous run or an underlying injury, pushing yourself too hard can only make things worse. So take it easy today, and if your legs are still feeling good tomorrow, then go for another run.
Steps to take if you decide to go against your head
If you’re feeling good and your legs are telling you to run, but your head is saying no, there are a few steps you need to take into consideration before heading out the door.
- Make sure you’re well-rested: If you’re feeling tired, your body is more likely to be injured. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep and taking rest days when needed.
- Warm up properly: A good warm-up will help to get your muscles ready for running
2. Talk to someone about it for support
Tips for overcoming indecision
If you’re struggling to make a decision, talking to someone who knows you well and supports your running goals can be helpful. They can offer impartial advice and help you to see the situation more clearly.
How to deal with conflicting emotions
It’s normal to feel a range of emotions when you’re trying to decide whether or not to go for a run. You may feel frustrated, disappointed or even angry with yourself. It’s important to remember that these emotions are normal and that they won’t last forever.
Ways to find support when making decisions
There are a few ways you can find support when making decisions about running. You could:
- Talk to a friend or family member who supports your running goals
- Join a local running group where you can chat to other runners and get advice
- Read articles or books about running, or listen to podcasts about running
What to do if you’re struggling to make a decision
If you’re struggling to make a decision, it’s important to take a step back and consider all of the factors involved. Once you’ve done this, you can then talk to someone about it for support. If you’re still struggling to make a decision, it may be best to err on the side of caution and not run.
3. Consider your options and make a decision
Weigh the pros and cons of each option
Before making a decision, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each option. For example, if you’re injured, the con of running is that you could make your injury worse. The pro of running is that you may get a runner’s high and feel good afterwards.
Make a decision
Once you’ve weighed the pros and cons of each option, it’s time to make a decision. Once you’ve made a decision, it’s important to stick to it. If you’re injured, don’t be tempted to run just because your legs are feeling good. This could make your injury worse.
4. Follow through with your decision
Take action
Once you’ve made a decision, it’s important to take action and follow through with it. If you’ve decided not to run, don’t let your legs tempt you into changing your mind. If you’ve decided to run, make sure you warm up properly and listen to your body for any signs of pain or discomfort.
5. Reflect on the experience and learn from it
Reflect on what you learned from the experience.
Making decisions is never easy, but it’s important to learn from the experience. Having now done this, you’ll be better equipped to make future decisions, both about running and other areas of your life.
Reflect on how you can use that learning in the future.
Now that you’ve gone through the process of making a decision, reflect on how you can use that learning in the future. What factors do you need to consider? How can you get support? What is your decision-making process? By reflecting on these questions, you’ll be better equipped to make future decisions.
Reflect on what you could have done differently in order to get a different outcome.
If you’re not happy with the decision you made, reflect on what you could have done differently in order to get a different outcome. What other factors should you have considered? How can you change your decision-making process in the future to reflect these questions?
Conclusion
So, what do you do when your brain and body are sending conflicting messages? The next time this happens to you, take a step back and ask yourself some questions. Am I paying attention; is the “no” coming from a logical standpoint, or is it based on irrational fears or doubts? Are you just tired or hungry?
Once you have a better understanding of why the no is present, start brainstorming ways to overcome that obstacle. If it’s fatigue, there could be a quick fix and maybe try working out in the morning instead of at night. If it’s doubt, talk to someone who can help build up your confidence.
Don’t let your legs have all the say in what you do – use your head as well!
FAQs concerning decision-making and mental health.
Could ‘not being able to make a decision’ be a mental health issue?
If you’re struggling to make decisions, it could be a sign of a mental health issue. If this is the case, it’s important to seek professional help.
Could ‘not being able to make a decision’ be a neurological disease?
In extreme cases, if you’re struggling to make decisions, this could be a sign of a neurological disease. If this is the situation and you suspect all is not as it should be, it’s important to seek professional help and look to get blood tests to see what is causing symptoms. Many different factors can come into play in relation to this, such as body language, movement disorders, panic attacks, as well as lesser signs such as an upset stomach.
What is a panic attack?
A panic attack is a feeling of extreme anxiety or fear that can come on suddenly and often without warning. Symptoms of a panic attack can include a pounding heart, sweating, shaking, shortness of breath, chest pain, feeling dizzy or faint. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek medical help immediately.
What are having crossed legs and avoiding eye contact symptoms of?
There are many different body language cues that can be indicative of a person’s state of mind. For example, someone who is anxious may cross their legs or avoid eye contact. If you notice any changes in someone’s body language, it’s important to ask them how they’re feeling and if they need any help.
Is there a registered charity that can help?
If you’re struggling to make decisions, there are many different charities that can offer support. For example, the UK-based charity Decision Aiders offers free and confidential decision-making support. Another option is the US-based National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), which offers support and resources for people living with mental illness.
