A simple, daily walk as an act of self-love
I’ve been wanting to write some words about walking for a while and 50 days into my self-imposed #walk100days challenge feels like a great time to do it.
For a long time I’ve understood the positive impact that a gentle walk and fresh air has on overall wellbeing. But it’s only this year that I’ve truly come to appreciate the transformative power that a simple daily walk can have.
Like a lot of us, it was lockdown in 2020 that encouraged me to get outside walking more often. Back then I really noticed for the first time how being out in nature and walking with no other purpose than to just walk, gave me the physical and mental space that I was craving. The wide open spaces encouraged me to breathe deeper and helped to calm and settle my mind. When anxious thoughts were rising, the grounding effect of walking helped bring me back to me. And it had a positive ripple effect through the rest of my day. I was truly CRAVING space.
Carving out space for YOU
Here's an Instagram post I wrote at the time:
Anyone else craving quiet right now?
“On this moody, foggy day outside, the volume in our house was overwhelming today. Constant noise, needs, requests, demands… Nothing out of the ordinary, but sometimes it all feels so much more intense. So this afternoon I took a walk out into the fog to get some much-needed space and calm. My heart is full of gratitude but sometimes my senses just need a little bit of quiet.”
6th December 2020
My mind and body were craving a slower pace of life and lockdown actually gave us that. Someone once told me that you have to slow down to accelerate – but it’s more than that for me. It’s not about enabling me to be more productive, I need to ‘go slow’ to maintain my physical and mental health. Too many years of stress has taken its toll and slowing down in order to manage my anxiety is now a daily practice.
As a habitual ‘doer’ and professional worrier I often find it hard to be present in the moment – walking brings me instantly into that space. There is no choice but to be present while walking – to observe the world around you, to go at nature’s pace.
Walking reminds me that I don’t need to be all things, to all people, all the time.
When I walk I’m calmer, my anxiety is more manageable, I feel more in control, more mindful, more present and I notice and appreciate the little things around me. I’ve learned that I’m the only one who can prioritise myself, no-one else is going to do that for me.
And it slows down the PACE. I think about pace a lot – in life, in business, in everything I do.
I’ve got itchy feet and twiddly hands – I’m always thinking of the next ‘thing’. Which is why I have to make a conscious effort to remind myself that I can dictate the pace of my life, always. And walking helps me embrace a slower, more intentional pace.
It also gives me the space to listen to my body and what it’s telling me – a little niggle here or there – walking helps me notice areas that need tending to.
Walking as a daily meditative practice
At the end of 2020 I got COVID and it knocked me sideways, physically and mentally. The ripple effects lasted for months. In those days and weeks afterwards when I was getting back on my feet I was scared to exercise, even walking at first was hard – my heart was pounding and the anxiety of being outdoors meant that I was worried that I’d collapse or that I might have a heart attack - this is what anxiety can do to you.
But I kept walking. Slowly at first and building it up.
Here’s a journal entry from the beginning of this year (20th January 2022) when walking became my ‘therapy’ of choice:
“Another beautiful January day. Frost, cold and bright blue sunshine. Walked to the nature reserve and back along the river. Taking in all of nature around me – the sights, sounds, smells. Love hearing the birdsong, watching the ponies from the lookouts. Just watching nature do its thing – so, so peaceful.
Mesmerised watching a heron slowly moving through the river before flying away. I sat in a lookout to watch the ponies. Was there otters too?
I’m enjoying these daily walks so much – the headspace, the physical space, the movement. I really feel like walking is helping me to shift my mental state – to wake me up, feel more positive, light and ‘clear’. I don’t have all the answers I’m looking for, but walking is helping me to be ok with taking the time and space to work it out.”
#walk100days
Fifty days ago I made a commitment to myself to walk daily. I’ve walked almost 200 miles over those 50 days and now I can’t imagine not walking every day for the transformative power that it has. Some days at weekends I take long 9-10 mile meandering walks. More often it’s a 2-3 mile walk along the river back from the school drop-off. Either way, I walk.
When worries and intrusive thoughts are on repeat in mind it can be so, so hard to calm my mind down, but walking helps me do that.
It grounds me. It brings me back into alignment with me. It’s the kindest gift I can give myself.
Tell me. How does walking help you?
If you’d like to read more, I recommend reading DO WALK by Libby DeLana and listening to the ‘This Morning Walk’ podcast – both have really inspired me to get outside and embrace walking as a daily practice.
And if you’d like to join me, I’m organising free informal ‘Social Stroll’ walks around Buckinghamshire – have a look on Instagram for the details @slowdowncollective.
With love, gratitude and endless ‘slow down’ vibes,
Helen x