Minding My Mind....
Going Into Nature for A Walk.
For all the years I had no idea of the benefits of S L O W walking, I went….
F A S T
because:
benefits to heart
weight loss potential
naturally a quick walker
to get it over and done with
to do what I thought was RIGHT.
And yes it can be right if you love your run and fast walking and your body does too.
BUT I stopped.
Because I had forgotten how to be:
M
I
N
D
F
U
L
in the every day.
However at my age and stage, this is making better sense for me!
And now I offer this information for you, as I am learning too!
What is Mindful Walking and why would I do it?
When you are out walking, do you find you are able to tune into the present moment and just be out on your walk? Or are you running through the endless to-do list and making your pace a little faster? Maybe you’re concerned about your own health or worrying about various family member’s health? Or perhaps you’re thinking about the next time you’ll see your children and their children? Sound familiar?
The practice of mindful walking is the opportunity to give ourselves a bit of a break from the constant mental chatter. We actively try to arrive in the present moment with each step we take. Connecting with our breath, the sensations in our body, and the nature around us. Amazingly, this practice has been found to be a simple, yet profound way of lessening stress and worry and aiding in our mental health and wellbeing. Next time you are out for a walk why not give it a try?
On 1 February 2024 I set off for “a walk in or by nature” somewhere mid morning.
I admit I drove and that was OK too because I would be grocery shopping on the way home.
Since being back in Sydney, I am discovering new places and spaces in nature where I can walk mindfully.
This is ‘just over the road’ but its access is about 4 km from us.
I do take my iphone with me because I will often N O T I C E something I love in a pattern or a colour and I just need to remember it for its own sake or art.
And sometimes I stop to record some seconds of bird calls as I did here:
I admit being present mindfully still takes some practice but nothing like it used to.
In fact I now SEEK opportunities every day to walk in and around nature somewhere.
The inner health benefits to my thinking and being cannot be underestimated!
I’ve been a mindful walker here too- despite the urban setting!
And I never forget to:
NOTICE NATURE….
I also notice my gratitude and contentment rise within after one of these walks….”WOW” I say under my breath when I see the tree above!
Are you a mindful walker?
Do share what you notice.
Warm wishes,
Denyse.
Joining in with Natalie and friends here for Weekend Coffee Share:
I like to think I am mindful walker. There was a time when I was into hiking because we have so many trails around Los Angeles. Aside from the health benefits, I enjoyed learning how close I was to nature even in such a large city.
This was great Denyse. I think I do both. There are times I will walk faster, and times when I prefer to just take it slow and take it all in. Thank you for sharing this. Loved your photos.