Last week, after a night spent tossing and turning, thinking about all of the things I wanted/needed/had to do the next day, I woke up with the same feelings. I decided that I needed to do something to burn off the excess anxious energy so I took my dogs for a walk. I knew that my usual 10-15 minute walk wouldn't be enough so I took a route that would take about 30 minutes.
I decided to walk mindfully. I deliberately slowed down, let my dogs stop to sniff every two steps. I took each pause as an opportunity to notice the experience.
I focused on my senses: - sight - the colors of the flowers, trees, sky, and buildings, the light and shadows - sounds - I noticed the birds chirping, the distant sound of cars and a lawnmower - scent - the smell of the flowers and freshly cut grass - touch - the warmth of the sun, the cooling breeze - taste - (gotta admit I'm to much of a city girl to risk tasting anything from my neighbors garden)
By the time I got home, I felt calm and confident. I knew that whatever happened, I would take care of it and everything would be all right. I felt like I'd taken a mini-vacation and the feeling continued throughout the day.
Give it a try, take a mindful mini-vacation walk this morning.
Katie Goode, M.A., MFC 45129
Eating Disorder and Anxiety Specialist 26060 Acero, Mission Viejo, CA 92691
of the things I wanted/needed/had to do the next day, I woke up with the
same feelings. I decided that I needed to do something to burn off the
excess anxious energy so I took my dogs for a walk. I knew that my usual
10-15 minute walk wouldn't be enough so I took a route that would take
about 30 minutes.
I decided to walk mindfully. I deliberately
slowed down, let my dogs stop to sniff every two steps. I took each
pause as an opportunity to notice the experience.
I focused on my senses:
- sight - the colors of the flowers, trees, sky, and buildings, the light and shadows
- sounds - I noticed the birds chirping, the distant sound of cars and a lawnmower
- scent - the smell of the flowers and freshly cut grass
- touch - the warmth of the sun, the cooling breeze
- taste - (gotta admit I'm to much of a city girl to risk tasting anything from my neighbors garden)
By
the time I got home, I felt calm and confident. I knew that whatever
happened, I would take care of it and everything would be all right. I
felt like I'd taken a mini-vacation and the feeling continued throughout
the day.
Give it a try, take a mindful mini-vacation walk this morning.
26060 Acero, Mission Viejo, CA 92691
www.HolisticTherapyOC.com
Follow me on Twitter at http://www.Twitter.com/KatieGoode