Week 88: Better Together

Harnessing the power of friendship

The exercise conundrum

The concept of exercise is a modern phenomenon. For our ancestors the simple matter of surviving, of eating enough food, avoiding disaster, and managing to reproduce was physically demanding enough. Obtaining sufficient food was hard work. Conserving energy was vital. Physical effort was functional. Only children played and this was in preparation for adult life. No one went running or played football for pleasure.

Now in the Western world we can survive and reproduce with a minimum of physical effort. Our ancestors would be rejoicing at this happy change. But sadly, as a species we are designed to walk miles in search of food and to carry heavy loads. Our bodies are healthier if we exercise even though our minds are programmed not to expend any unnecessary effort. 

This is why it’s so hard to go running or to the gym, but we feel loads better if we do.

It’s not moral weakness when I experience resistance to doing anything physically demanding. I’m biologically programmed to resist effort.

How to get round this evolutionary problem?

What the experts say

Prof Daniel Lieberman, a paleoanthropologist at Harvard University is best known for his research on the evolution of the human mind and body. He admits this evolutionary mismatch is a bummer.

His primary suggestion as to how to overcome our biological programming and make exercise attractive is to call upon a deeper evolutionary thread – the desire to be social. Exercise becomes more enjoyable and attractive when done with others. This is why we have team sports and running clubs and go out dancing.

He is so right. Going dancing feels like fun. It’s physically demanding but I don’t think about it like that. When I go running with my neighbours I am much less likely to pull out or give up because of the sense of social obligation. Although it’s still an effort we have great chats and often laugh a lot.

I’ve been thinking about how this applies to writing too.

Can I blame biology for creative procrastination?

I’m not sure of any evolutionary or biological justification but creative writing feels like a huge energetic effort. I experience resistance every time I sit down to write. But if I persevere and write my daily words I feel much better and then have a warm glow and feel good sensations that resemble exercise induced endorphins. So perhaps I can apply Professor Lieberman’s advice to writing and overcome resistance by making it social.

Writing is a solitary pursuit, but it can be done in company. Writer dates where you meet up with a writer friend to write separately but together were new to me. But they work.

Gone Fishing

I’m off this weekend for a Writing Retreat with a fellow writer. This is essentially a holiday dedicated to food, drink, and writing.  Under the gaze of my friend at the desk opposite I can’t decide that I’d rather go Christmas shopping or prioritize the hoovering. We are compelled by our shared commitment to get down to writing and keep writing until lunch and then keep writing until dinner.

We both have books to finish, and a bottle of champagne is waiting if we both get to The End. That’s a great incentive.

We are going to encourage each other through the last few miles home.

If you’ve got something to do that you keep putting off why not harness the power of togetherness and share the challenge with a friend.