In light of everything going on right now there are a lot of unknowns. For myself, I needed some normalcy in my life. I’ve been is this weird place mentally, physically and emotionally. I needed to do something and the one thing I found to bring some happiness and joy was paddle boarding. During this time, while we all have been quarantining I started to learn new things about myself that I never knew before. The one thing I learned is how much I really enjoyed being out on the water.

One added perk of stand up paddleboarding is that it’s an amazing workout. During this time you always want to remember to treat your body well. From being aware of your food intake to promoting energy and strength by being active a little bit each day. I always recommend starting off small. Taking the stairs instead of the elevator, take a walk during lunch, etc.  Once you conquer those little things, it’ll be easier to set yourself up on a long term healthier life style. Trust me it can be hard to work out consistently and doesn’t always come easily. I’m not this perfect person who eats healthy and works out 24/7 but I do make an effort and believe me, I definitely have my “cheat” days.

This brings me to my next point. Treat your mind well. I have learned how much paddle boarding as been good for my mind. I love being on the water because it clears my mind from everything that is going on in the world currently. The air and smell has been so refreshing. Also being on the water has become almost like meditation and allows me to calm my mind.

Now let’s talk about the workout you get from SUP (stand up paddle board). This will work your arms, legs, core, and balance. You can even make it hard being paddling faster or through choppy waters- which will really show how good your balance is! This is full body workout. At times I just like to cruise around- especially if I go out during sunset. However, other times, when I’m going against the current I’m exhausted by the end of the paddle. I’ve also seen people doing SUP yoga. I have tried it yet but looks fun!

Again, there is a lot going on in the world right now and doing SUP is something I’ve learned about myself to bring some normalcy into my life and just taking a moment to remember how beautiful this state truly is. So go out and find something that you find joy and will bring some peace of mind during this time. If you’re interested in getting started, remember that Dr. Cait teaches a SUP 101 class through Portland Paddle right on the East End Beach!

  • Chelsea