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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
How running saved my life
Jog On by Bella Mackie is a memoir about one woman's journey of using running as a means of dealing with anxiety and depression. It is an honest and uplifting account of how physical exercise and mental health are interlinked, promoting acceptance and self-care.
Bella Mackie had only been married for eight months when her husband walked out on her. After he left, Bella lay on the floor, utterly heartbroken. She knew she would have to get up eventually and deal with this trauma – just like anyone after a failed relationship. But the problem was, Bella wasn’t like everyone else.
Even as a young child, Bella was incredibly anxious. Everything frightened her – from surreal pieces of art to certain pieces of music to the noises that cars made. Her stomach and her chest often ached with worry. When she went to school parties, she would get a powerful sense of dread; something would just feel wrong.
When she went to high school, Bella developed strange behaviors. Whenever she had a scary thought, she would swallow, blink, or spit on the ground to try and get rid of it. She hurt herself, too. Not only did she pick at her skin until she drew blood, she also pulled her hair out – a condition known as trichotillomania. Even today as an adult, she has scars on her legs from pulling out her hair.
She did all of this to try and cope with her intense anxiety. But, unsurprisingly, these coping strategies didn’t work. Instead, things got worse. She started experiencing disassociation – a terrifying symptom of anxiety that makes sufferers feel detached from their surroundings.
When Bella experienced disassociation, the world around her looked horribly distorted. Colors seemed garish, and it felt like there was a layer of bubble wrap between her and reality. Sometimes, when the disassociation was really bad, she couldn’t recognize her own face in the mirror. The condition made everything seem staged and fake – as if her friends and family were actors in a play.
By the time Bella was a teenager, she was having panic attacks, too.
In an attempt to feel safe, she started avoiding places that made her panic. But as the years went by, this meant she couldn’t visit most of the city where she lived, or go to her local stores, or even visit her nearest park. By the time she got married, Bella was avoiding everything – from planes to freeways to elevators to the subway.
In the next blink, we’ll take a closer look at the illnesses that were driving Bella’s isolation.
Jog on (2019) examines the devastating effects of anxiety disorders and reveals how exercise can help to treat them. These blinks also explore author Bella Mackie’s own mental health struggles and chart her journey to recovery.
Jog On: How Running Saved My Life (2018) is a compelling memoir about Bella Mackie's experience with running and the positive impact it had on her mental health. Here's why this book is worth reading:
My feet were in control and I was running purposefully, not running away.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
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Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get startedBlink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
What is the main message of Jog On?
Jog On is a powerful exploration of running's transformative effect on mental health and self-discovery.
How long does it take to read Jog On?
The reading time for Jog On varies, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Jog On a good book? Is it worth reading?
Jog On is a compelling read that offers valuable insights into the intersection of running and mental health. Worth your time.
Who is the author of Jog On?
Bella Mackie is the author of Jog On.