Walking Toward Wellness

There’s so much more to walking than just exercise!  Today, I’ll share some insights into how regular walking can help us along the way through life’s many bumps and keep us moving toward wellness.

UNPLUG FIRST

If I had to choose one word to describe modern life today, it would be “busy.”  We are all so busy, all the time, rushing from one task to the next!  Even on our off hours, when we’re not commuting, working, chauffeuring, housekeeping or running errands, it’s normal for us to spend many more hours plugged into our electronic devices or sitting in front of a big screen.  For our physical and mental wellbeing, it’s so important to take a daily break outdoors and unplug from all the incessant activity.  Walking provides the perfect space for this to happen and there are many therapeutic ways for us to walk.

WALK IN SILENCE

If you are fortunate to be able to walk in a beautiful and peaceful setting, you might want to try a walking meditation.  This type of walk is perfect along a beach or country road where you can take in the sounds of nature.  Simply put, you walk in silence, breathing and observing all the beauty around you.  When distracting thoughts appear, acknowledge them, put them aside for later, and return your focus again to breathing, walking, and relaxing in your peaceful surroundings.  Walking in this manner is particularly beneficial for people dealing with stress and anxiety since it brings about a naturally calming and soothing effect.

WALK AND TALK

Maybe you just want to talk and share something with a special person in your life.  Grab a friend, partner or spouse and walk a while together.  This provides the perfect alone time for just the two of you.  Let the conversation flow naturally and don’t force it.  It’s so easy to relax and talk without the constant distractions of everyday life, and you may find you’re better able to work out a problem while walking and sharing in this private space.  Go ahead and talk it all out but savor the inevitable quiet spaces in between without awkwardness; they’re just as important to your overall well-being.

WALK THROUGH GRIEF

All of us, at one time or another, suffer a life-changing loss.  Whether it’s the loss of a loved one or the loss of a home or job, the resulting grief can be overwhelming and frightening.  Whenever I’ve suffered a loss or life-altering event, I’ve turned to walking to help me cope.  The simple act of walking creates the space we need to experience our grief while at the same time finding acceptance in the knowledge that life goes on.  All around us, there’s the constant reminder of the cycle of life and death and we are just another part of that natural course.  It may not be very comforting to think about this, but it helps us put our grief in perspective and alleviates the isolation that grief and depression can cause.  If you are in the midst of grieving, try to incorporate a daily walk as part of your healing process and remember to be gentle with yourself during this time.

WALK AFTER ILLNESS

I’ve been dealing with chronic Lyme disease for several years and there have been times when any exercise has been just too painful.  During the worst times, when I was first diagnosed and recovering, I began taking short walks to build up my strength and stamina.  It was a challenge for me to walk just a short five-minute distance from my home; but, over time and with walking a little more each day, I could feel my health slowly returning.  Walking brought me back to wellness.

WALK AT ANY AGE

I believe that walking is one of the safest means for us to get back on the road to wellness and stay there.  Walking outdoors is free, wholesome, available to most at any point in our lives, and clearly therapeutic for whatever ails us.

Here are some tips to incorporate walking into your life:

• Make the choice to get outside and walk every day you can.  Yes, it’s a choice you have to make, just like you choose to do any countless other activities each day.
• Keep it simple and bring along only what you absolutely need.  You can take your cell phone for security but leave it turned off so you won’t be distracted.
• Wear comfortable clothing and dress for the weather.  This seems obvious but wearing soft, comfy clothing and well-fitting walking shoes will make all the difference in the enjoyment of your walks.
• Be consistent.  Walk often and make it a regular part of your routine.  Don’t worry about how long or how fast you walk, and don’t get bogged down with how many steps you’ve taken, the benefits are still there.  Just do it and you’ll feel better for it!

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