Walking Shoes - Walking and Other Exercise

[Guest_1055]

Hey to anyone reading this.

Last night I had an idea about starting a new thread about exercise especially walking. I am aware that walking is very beneficial for our mental, emotional and physical well being. And by actually doing it....well it can make a huge difference to how we cope with the storms that we face in life.

OK, I am not real good at disciplining myself to walk, and have to really push myself to do it. And sometimes it is even hard to leave this bedroom. Anyway I am not a beginner walker, as I have stuck to sort of a plan before. So I know that it does make me feel somewhat better. But I only stayed on the plan for a couple of months, then gave up.....for whatever reason. So here I am again wanting desperately to not fail this time.

So I guess this thread is for anyone that does walk, anyone that is struggling to walk because of depression or anxiety issues. And anyone else really......

I am unsure of the outcome of all this. But my ideas included: Sharing about things we have found out about exercise especially about walking. Writing down the reasons that one would chose to walk ( like something to help motivate). Being accountable in same way. Sharing about the places where we actually do walk, like the beach, gym, around the block, with the dog, out to the clothesline and back. And any other useful tips that could help others. So here we go......

[Eagle Ray]

So lovely to hear of your walks Dools. I especially love before dawn walks - a really special time when the world feels new.

I went for a slow, gentle walk in a forested area by a river. I rested on a log for a while and later on a seat by the trail under a tree. I noticed how the water flow had become stagnant with summer dryness. I saw some bubbles coming up from the bottom of the river and wondered if they were coming from a creature and if so what kind. I saw quite a few different birds including robins, wrens and fantails. I heard my favourite songbird, the grey shrike-thrush, echoing through the forest. They have the purest most melodic call.

This walk helped calm my nervous system which has been seriously wired lately. I could feel tension and stress easing and leaving my body.

[Guest_1055]

Thankyou for sharing about your walks Mrs D and Eagle Ray.

[Doolhof]

Hi Guest _1055 thanks for starting up this thread so long ago. Thinking of you and hope you have been able to enjoy nature lately and have been motivated to be out walking.

Eagle Ray thanks for the lovely description of your walk, I could almost picture myself being there, so thanks for that and the comfort it brought to my soul.

I'm returning to work today and I stressed about it terribly yesterday. Still feeling the effects of Covid and I have allowed work to really do my head in.

Out walking this monring I was trying for positive affirmations about myslef and work.

I enjoyed the pre-dawn and then the glow on the landscape once the sun rose above the little hills in the distance. I could hear a kookaburra in the distance and watched some sheep wander across the paddock, kicking up dust as they went.

When my energy returns, I will take a trip to the beach, it is about 100 kilometres away. 

[Guest_1055]

Hi Mrs D and Hi Eagle Ray, I have been walking every day. I do see beautiful things around me, but at the moment it is not sinking in. Às I almost seem like a robot seeing beauty but not experiencing it within me. I saw a heron balancing on its tall skinny legs on fence last night. I did go walking out near the beach last night. I did see a yellow, orange sunset in the park with my sister the other day.

Both your walks and Eagle Rays are so different to the areas I walk in. I did like reading about them, only wish I could appreciate the beauty and walk your walks in my head. 

Hoping you get over the after effects of covid soon Mrs D. Wish I could offer some advice in regards to the stress and your work. 

[Eagle Ray]

Hi Guest and Dools

Guest, I can relate to the surroundings not sinking in. I think that’s why my nature walk yesterday felt special because I was present again with my surroundings. But some days it’s like I’m experiencing my surroundings through a filter and it’s hard to be fully present with them. I’m guessing this may be similar to what you’re describing? I’m sure you’ll be able to re-connect. Sometimes something has to shift inside and then it’s like the filter is gone and you are directly present with everything around you again. I know when I’m either stressed, down or struggling in some way my ability to just clearly connect through my senses is interrupted. I think coming back to just feeling through the senses can help, if that makes sense?

Dooks I loved hearing about the glow on the landscape. I could just see and hear everything you were describing. I hope your work day went well and wasn’t too stressful. I also hope you were able to take it easy given you are still dealing with the effects of Covid.

Today I visited a rock pool at a favourite coastal spot. I bathed my feet in the water. There were eddys and spirals as the water moved back and forth from each end of the rock pool. A small greenish crab crawled out of a hole. Then a larger crab with brown, purple and orange hues walked by. Both were in the rock pool but neither nibbled my toes. I saw an osprey at its favourite vantage point on a limestone ledge where I’ve seen it before. I then climbed my favourite nearby rocky hill. There were pink hues to the east. Then when the sun set to the west amazing pink rays emanated from cloud on the horizon. The landscape feels fully alive at this time of day, like it has a strong energy.

[Eagle Ray]

P.S. That was meant to be Dools, not Dooks, in the second paragraph above. Sorry Dools! Also, I forgot to mention the small stripy fish I saw in the rock pool 🐠 

[Doolhof]

Hi Guest, Eagle Ray and All reading,

Hey Eagle Ray, don't worry regarding the spelling, I'm not fussed at all. At work I deal with hundreds of people over a weekend and some are really annoyed when I can't remember their names! My day yesterday was okay thanks, I was trying positive affirmations which helped.

Thanks for sharing your recent experience with the rock pool and the scenery around you, I really need to get back to a coastal place away from people. The city beaches are the closest to me. They are lovely as well, not always as calming though.

Hi Guest, I sometimes struggle on my walks as well, on days like that I thank myself for having been out for a walk. Sometimes I purposely stop and look around me, trying to see something, acknowledge the heat of the sun or the breeze. It doesn't always work. I like to take photos while I am out as well. 

[Doolhof]

My walk this morning was in a light misty environment. The road ahead was obscured by very low damp cloud, leaving a dew on the dry grasses. 

I was thrilled to see some kangaroos in the paddocks and stopped to watch as one bounded away into the bushes at the edge of the paddock. Further on I saw some hares. Some can be quite large! The sheep were drifting in and out of the mist and added an almost mystical feel to the morning as they drifted in and out of focus until the sun rose,  dissipating the mist.

I had a rest under an olive tree where the thick flattened dead grass was dry. It was a comforting place to sit for a moment. Further on the condensation was dripping off the gum leaves high above my head. 

The sun had come out in all of its glory, warming the earth.

[Eagle Ray]

Such beautiful descriptions Dools. You really paint a picture with words.

 I went for a longer walk than usual. I went down along the river where what seems like an algal bloom may be happening. It’s formed a crust on the shoreline that’s an interesting mix of purple and pale blue. It definitely didn’t smell quite right but the colours were pretty. Pelicans were perched in various spots with their beaks tucked in their feathers.

Headed up hill to a bush track I often walk on. I found it’s been significantly widened with quite a bit of destruction of bush on each side. I kind of liked the way it was slightly overgrown before because I felt much more immersed in the forest. However, there might be a good reason for widening the track such as an access route in case of fire.

Came out to a long, straight road that was very quiet. Kept to the side where there was some shade from trees. Crossed into another bushland area and stopped by a lake where the water level is getting low. The wind was making patterns on the surface. Often in this area I see kangaroos but I was out earlier than usual and none were out grazing yet. Headed back home after some mosquitoes started biting. A southerly breeze was cooling the warm afternoon.

Today while walking I entertained my mind with non-emotional topics, as when I started the walk I realised I was distracted with emotionally activating stuff relating to challenges with a relative at the moment. By giving my mind other things to focus on I was calmer during my walk with a kind of meditative focus, almost like a trance. I felt good when I got home from the exercise.

[Doolhof]

Hi Eagle Ray and all reading,

Out for a walk again this morning. This time to clear my mind after a frustrating weekend at work where I had heard my name was slandered because I was away from work with Covid! Another incident happened with a rumour of falseness spreading like a bushfire! 

Thankful a senior staff member came for my side of the story, hopefully they believed me. Half my walk was consumed with work muck!

Noticed some bees and butterflies in a flowering bush so went to have a closer look. Thought about counting the sheep in the paddock for distraction but there were too many of them. Ha. Ha.

Tried to be aware of my environment and appreciative of all I could see. 

Really enjoyed your description thanks Eagle Ray, you too tell a wonderful story and I can imagine being in a similar environment.