Well “sometime” came in like a bear when I began to experience bouts of anxiety for the first time in my life. Despite all the wonderful blessings I could see around me, I still found myself breaking into cold sweats at night and waking to incessant worrying in the morning. Sure, I had experienced occasional nervousness in my life (usually before a big event or the like), but full-blown anxiety?
Well, what could I do but go ahead and try to implement what I intellectually understood about anxiety. I needed to get out of my head and into my body fast. Translation: Time to get off my tush and upgrade my exercising. Clearly my body was no longer satisfied with my on again and off again exercise habits.
On my first walk on the soft, earthen trail, it completely took my breath away. With my dogs trotting ahead of me, I let myself take in the natural beauty. The path brushed along open farmland straight out of a naturalist’s painting; a glittering stream gurgled on my right and Tasha (my lab mix, girl dog) couldn’t resist jumping in; a fantastic Green Mountain backdrop loomed into the sky, and even a few dairy cows stopped their grazing for a moment to cheer me on (man are they big!). It was a beautiful tapestry that immediately had a calming and grounding affect on me.
It was so beautiful, energizing and fun that I found it easy to hit the trails several times per week over the summer. No matter what my mood or energy level was, the refreshing environment seemed to also refresh my spirit. Sometimes I felt lazy, so I strolled along and shortened my walk to 20 minutes. But more often, I would walk briskly for 40 minutes or more.
What I most want to highlight in this post, is that exercise can be more than a grind and definitely more inspiring than a routine trip to the gym. If you’ve been feeling anxious or scattered, getting outside and moving your body in beautiful surroundings may be just the solution for your mind AND body.
According to Richard Louv’s book “Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder,” spending time in nature could the cure for your mind-body blues. The author sites recent studies that show increased productivity, improved concentration, a better ability to deal with negative stressors and a significant reduction in Attention Deficit Disorder symptoms… just by spending time in “green spaces.” If nature does this for troubled souls, imagine what it could do for a regular gal like you. I highly encourage you to find a local park, nearby hiking trail or waterside walkway to get your own dose nature nutrients.
The trick to filling up on this type of soul food is to pay attention to your environment. I like to think of it as a form of active meditation. For example, notice what you find attractive, unusual or even funny on your walk. Maybe notice what you find in abundance… things like pebbles, dandelions or flowers. And when you find yourself over-thinking or worrying again, bring your mind’s focus back to the environment that you’re walking in. You’ll feel inspired, calmer and energized.
Oh, and did I mention you’ll also get a leg-toning workout? You will.
Here’s a picture of the trail I enjoy with my dogs Thai and Tasha a few steps ahead.
Having a hard time staying focused and on track? Read more about Richard Louv’s research that demonstrate how being in green spaces (nature) reduces stress and profoundly increases your ability to feel focused.
