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......

[Guest_1055]

I went walking in that large park that I have written about before. I went with my sister.

We noticed people setting up their tents on the oval. It's for this large music concert that happens most years. 

As we were walking around we heard music flowing through the air to us. Properly rehearsals I was thinking.

Nice walk 

[Doolhof]

Hi Shell, Eagle Ray, Beautiful Horse and all reading,

It is lovely to hear of your walks. I remember walking to the bus when I lived in the city, I enjoyed looking at people's gardens, the street trees and listening for birds. Thanks for reminding me of that Beautiful Horse. There is so much to see around us.

Regarding the jacket, I have an old thin rain jacket I can tie around my waist if not required. When out on longer walks with my sister we often take a back pack also. 

This morning I walked one of our local roads. It was very foggy. I saw about 6 kangaroos altogether, I watched a couple bound across a paddock.

Some of the sheep are lambing, it was lovely to hear the lambs calling out to their mothers. One sheep was right on the fence line, she looked like she was hiding behind the tall grass on the road side of the fence. She blended in well. A dirty brown sheep behind yellow/brown dried grasses and weeds.

In one place I noticed tiny paw prints in some dry soil, I am assuming it may have been a mouse or something similar. I also saw a puddle of mud and thought how much fun it would be to take my shoes and socks off and to stomp around in that squishy clay. I had nothing to clean my feet up with after so just pushed a stick around in the mud for a while instead.

There were a lot of magpies around chirping away. One decided to swoop me, getting in practise for Spring I guess! 

I do enjoy my early morning walks. 

[Eagle Ray]

Hello All

Shell, I like seeing concerts being set up and hearing the musicians rehearse. It’s like there’s a feeling of anticipation about what’s to come. A few years ago I lived not far from a stadium and I could hear U2 doing their rehearsal. I could hear every note clearly. It was like a free concert.

Dools, I just love hearing about the lambs. Twice a week at the moment I drive past a paddock with many little lambs in it and my heart melts every time. I’m hoping you were unscathed by the swooping magpie. I’m so glad you enjoy your morning walks.

Today I’ve walked along the estuary and I’m now sitting down looking at the scene. Plenty of people are fishing and kids and dogs are running about. Some tourists are making the most of small boats for hire and quite a few people are on kayaks. The smaller stingrays (eagle rays - my relatives!) have been coming in close and getting patted by people. They get fed some fish scraps and are always hopeful for more.

It’s like people are very relaxed and absorbed in what they’re doing. It’s really nice to see. The afternoon sun is sparkling on the water.

[Guest_1055]

Hello Mrs D, It's good you enjoy your early morning walks. Sometimes it makes it easier to walk then.

Squishing in the mud with your feet does sound like fun. I am with you there.

I remember you talking about getting swopped by maggie's before,wonder if it's 

[Guest_1055]

Oh you saw your relatives, other eagle rays. I wonder what they feel like to pat.

And I understand what you mean by feeling the anticipation. Feeling the atmosphere, the vibes around you.

Thankyou for sharing your walk 

[Guest_1055]

Yesterday I went walking out on the breakwall. On this path there is a hill going up on the right. I call it lighthouse hill. On the top is the lighthouse plus other white cottages. They open the bottom gates on the weekends. So I decided to walk on up. It made me happy to know I must be getting more fit. I was breathing heavy, but did not feel the need to stop and rest. I walked over to the old white solid fence and peered over and then down. There was some vegetation, a concrete ( not even sure what you call it) like a dug out. Then there was the beautiful ocean. Which looks still from up there. A cargo 🚢 ship was coming in nearer to the port. And you can see the rest of the breakwall from this spot. I look into the windows of the old white cottages. No one lives in them now. But I can imagine myself in one. They are renovated with deep colour timber floors. With many windows facing the ocean. I would open all the windows so it's nice and breezy and airy inside. With much light. Then I could breathe in the fresh open ocean air inside my cottage. I walk back down the hill seeing people walking up.

I walk to the end of the breakwall now. Someone has a sausage dog with their low tummy almost touching the ground. Sooo cute. I hear the lapping of the water in the port on the doggy beach. On the other side of me I hear the wind in the waves in the ocean. Lovely.

[Guest_1055]

Oops Mrs D, I am unsure where the rest of the sentence went. But I was wondering if the place where you got swooped by the magpie was the same place and even the same tree as the last time you got swooped. 

[Eagle Ray]

Hello dear Shell and All

I loved your description of the lighthouse and cottages. There is something about imagining living by the sea in such a cottage in the picturesque coastal landscapes that lighthouses are often in. I could really imagine it as you described it. I loved hearing about the sausage dog too - yes sooo cute 🥰🐶

I haven’t touched the local eagle rays here but did touch a small ray years ago. From memory I think it was kind of silky.

Today I have walked a short way into a forest and have been meditating. I only have to be still a short time and wrens and robins start to hop about on the forest floor around me. There is a very soft, gentle breeze in the canopy above me. I can hear small birds chirping and the hum of insects. The air is slightly cool but very pleasant. It is shifting from sun to shade and back again. I am feeling calmer the longer I am here, which is almost 2 hours now! I felt troubled when I arrived but it’s like my nervous system has recalibrated simply by being here. A man going by just stopped to hug one of the big trees which is so lovely. We talked about how special and amazing trees are. I hope everyone is having a lovely Sunday.

[Guest_1055]

You do sound so very calm Eagle Ray. I did imagine you sitting on the forest floor there still and calm like for a while. Hope it's ok to ask questions, feel free to answer it not. I don't want you to feel pressured to answer. But did you sit there for 2 hours just drinking all that in?

[Eagle Ray]

Dear Shell

That’s fine to ask questions. I didn’t plan to stay that long but also had no sense of that much time passing. I did meditate for a bit, just practising releasing thoughts and letting go. I didn’t try hard to meditate though.

I did pretty much what you described - just soaking it in. I looked at the beautiful trees and little birds. If you are still they sometimes come quite close. It took a while to start feeling better. I had so much emotional pain in my body - especially in the solar plexus and heart areas, shoulders and arms. I was really raw and vulnerable. I then realised almost two hours later that the emotional pain had largely gone.

There is a practice in Japan known as forest bathing. Scientists have actually studied it and found compounds are released in forests that actually have very positive health effects, including on our immune system. Quite literally being amongst the plants and trees is healing.

 I still feel tender but not distressed. I’m very sleepy which probably means my relaxation response/parasympathetic nervous system has kicked in. I’m about to lie down on my couch. I’m learning to listen when my body just needs to rest and today is one of those days.

 I hope you have a lovely, restful evening Shell.