Walking for Wellness and Peace of Mind
Do you ever feel stuck in a bad attitude, like things keep collapsing around you and you just can’t shake it off? Perhaps you have a lot on your plate, feeling stretched a bit too thin. Maybe there is drama or frustrations at work, people are making agonizingly poor choices as far as you can see, plans fall apart or your children will not stop bickering and complaining. Hmm…I love the moment when I realize my own bad attitude is affecting my children, when previously I thought it was the reverse. Or the irony of yelling at my children to “STOP YELLING!!” But I never yell at my children…nope, not me. OK so, sometimes I do loose my temper, my patience gets shredded to smithereenes and I snap! I need something to help me snap out of it and a deep breathe is not doing the trick.
Sometimes it’s a bigger picture moment. I have certainly written about this before. The world is complicated and there really is far too much sad or discouraging news pouring into our lives. Ok, so I could ramble on about all of the hardships and bad attitudes that can predominate…sometimes there is some therapy in venting and talking it out. BUT, once you tap into the realization that you are stewing in it, there are things we can do to change from negative to positive. This in fact is the first step in the right direction, to notice your emotion. There are many things you can do when time is short, like taking a few deep breathes, looking outside or practicing some mindfulness exercises. Learn more about mindfulness in this post.
Walking for Wellness
Today I wanted to focus on the simple act of getting outside and taking a walk. Taking a walk can not only help us shake off or reflect on a tough moment but it is a practice that can help us stay positive day to day. I understand that we don’t always have time to take long leisurely walks or even short walks, for that matter. Consider the idea that it is something we should make time for. So many of us are boxed up inside most of the day or just straight up busy, constantly on the move, never stopping to look around. It is also no secret that we are a pretty screen heavy society, constantly staring at screens, phones and various devices. It is important for us to take breaks from all of that. Don’t just take my word for it, read on and I will share various studies that show the health benefits of taking a walk outside.
I have the magical circumstance of being a 20 minute walk away from work. I really try to prioritize my time so that I can make this walk. It can be a game changer for me when my plate is full or simply to start my day with a fresh perspective. Life is so busy, many of us are rushing around. A lot of people in my town bike to work or from place to place, which is amazing and carries it’s own wellness benefits for sure, but when I can slow down and walk, this is when I start to notice the details of my surroundings. This is when I feel more present and alive. Walking places gives me such a boost in my attitude and a fresh perspective on my day, giving me a moment to be present and thoughtful about life and whatever is on my plate.
For many of us, the ability to walk to work is just not possible. If you are unable to, try to find a moment to step out and walk around the block for some fresh air at some point in your day. We all need to take breaks. Listen folks, I used to work at a design firm, where sometimes tension was high, deadlines were looming and time was of the essence. I would take breaks or eat my lunch at my desk, cramming the food down without even noticing what I was eating, maybe checking facebook while eating and then straight back to work. Sound familiar? But sometimes I would realize the imperative need to step the heck away from my desk and get outside. I would walk around the block, people watch, see the fall colors, breathe the fresh air and be reminded that it feels so very good to get out. When I returned from my walk, I felt more focused and positive about what I was doing and thus more productive.
Now, work aside, making time to take a walk just for the sake of walking, not to actually get somewhere, is something special. Whether you need a change of attitude or just some fresh air, make time to walk and connect to yourself and your surroundings. I realize we don’t all live places where nature is abundant or easy to access but you can tap into natural surroundings literally anywhere. Simply notice any trees or plant life on your walk and stop to take a look. Notice the details, leaf shapes, branching patterns, colors, buds on twigs, insects and birds. Take a moment to stop and really soak it all in. I talk quite a bit about this in this post on mindfulness.
Nature Walks and Shinrin-Yoku
See if you can find a trail or woodland to walk through or perhaps a park to stroll in. Studies show that spending time connecting to nature truly makes us feel better and happier.
The Japanese word Shinrin-Yoku means “Forest Bathing”. This concept urges us to take time to walk among trees and natural surroundings, while focusing on being fully present in that moment. To not only stroll, but actively breathe in and out, listen to the sounds, touch, smell and interact with the surroundings. Oh boy, oh boy, now stay with me people. If this concept is starting to feel too “woo-woo” consider this: A study done by Roger S. Ulrich, Ph.D. at Texas A & M University on Evidence Based Environmental Design for Improving Medical Outcomes discusses how patients in hospitals with windows facing green spaces, healed much more quickly than those whose windows did not face green spaces. Another interesting article put out by NPR discusses the health benefits of spending time mindfully in a natural setting. Check out it out here. If you are interested in reading more on how to practice Shinrin-Yoku check out this book.
Walking with Kids
I find that now and again, I really need some time to myself and enjoy a walk alone, but that is not the only time I take walks. Going for a walk with friends and family is such a nice way to connect with one another. I especially love it when I can get my kids out for a walk. Now these are slow, rambling strolls, where we stop often to look at plants and trees (the plant nerd in me has to work hard not to share the botanical name of everything I see, whether my company requests this information or not.) In forest settings, we like to sit still a moment and watch as the birds and other little creatures come out from their hiding spots. If you are interested in more ways to encourage kids to get outside and connect with nature, check out this post on the topic.
Getting outside for a walk and some time spent acknowledging all of the beauty that surrounds us, even if it is simply a patch of grass, pushing up through the cracks in the sidewalk, or peering up into a tree canopy above, walking outdoors, no doubt makes us feel better, healthier and happier. Just the other day, I was feeling really overwhelmed, so I dropped everything and scooted my kids, dogs and I out the door to a nearby meadow for some fresh air and peace of mind. It truly put us all in a better mood and reminded me of the importance of being fully present with my kids and spending time together. Be well, be kind and get outside!!