Body and Mind: Dude Ranches
Exercise isn’t always fun. Where’s the open space to move around? Who has the peace to hear themselves think? How does a person find the place or time to get the exercise they need today? The gym isn’t a motivational place for everyone. There’s little feeling of success walking on a treadmill for an hour, as opposed to walking an hour in nature. But there isn’t always a lot of nature where people live. Big cities don’t always allow people the quiet they need to focus or the space they need to exercise, so the only other option is the gym. Those kinds of options don’t get everyone excited to exercise. But the truth is, our bodies need that nitty gritty use once in a while to build basic muscle and support heart health. Which is why a trip to dude ranches could do a person good. The main point of a ranch visit is to enjoy yourself, but some may not realize why they are enjoying themselves so much. A person gets everything they need, from good food, to unpressured exercise. A person may even find his or herself learning how to ride horseback. But between all these stimulating activities, a body is responding to the sudden purpose it has. We were hunters and gatherers much longer than we have been businesswomen and men. In other words, our bodies still want to move, and jump and be useful. And while you think you’re giving your mind a workout by making baskets with your hands or learning how to ride a horse, your body feels useful again. There is no greater feeling than having an even flow between body and mind. This kind of stimulation is what makes a person happy as well as health.
The problem is, not many people think of going to a ranch when they start feeling the weight of the world upon their shoulders. Yet they are everywhere if you just open your eyes. Montana dude ranches, for example, are some of the best around. A ranch is a place that can excite people of all ages, and make a person want to live a healthier life.
