@JonicaBradley
more from that month
Walking for my Mental Health
Some of you may have read my earlier article on psychosomatic pain. In order to combat this current situation, I need a major endorphin boost. I used to be a runner, running between 7 and 10 miles every other day. I'd like to be a runner again. So, I've started walking. Walking may be as far as I get, but at least it will get me out of the house and into nature. I'd like to share some photos with you that I just took.
After waking .10 of a mile (the length of my drive) I turn left and start up the hill. My goal is the water tower just on the other side of the hill.
I took two quick photos and concentrated on my walking. Due to a year and a half of mystery illness, I am incredibly out of shape. Wait. That's not true. Round is a shape, after all While I walk, I listen to an audiobook. I learned while I was running, that music will change my pace, which isn't always a good thing, especially when I was distance running. Currently, I'm listening to Where the Crawdads Sing by Della Owens. https://books.google.com/books/about/Where_the_Crawdads_Sing.html?id=CGVDDwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=kp_read_button&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&gboemv=1 Once I made it over the hill and pay the water tower, I turned right. Walked a block and turned right again. Walked another block and made my final right turn, putting me back on the highway leading to my house.
By now I was already pretty tired and slowing down. So I stopped every few feet and took photos!
The clouds were getting darker and I was honestly worried I might get caught in the rain. I didn't, but it was close.
It was extremely humid and I was regretting my decision at this point. I definitely wasn't feeling any endorphins!
I was able to appreciate the beauty of my surroundings, though. And I just kept reminding myself this excursion was both for my physical as well as mental health.
Grabbing back down the hill, I could see my driveway on the right. It's the one with the bridge. Almost home! But oh, boy! Was I huffing and puffing at this point. And getting hungry! I kept passing these clumps of tiny white flowers.
Still huffing and puffing down the house, two more photos and I was home.
This entire walk, with a few moments stolen for photos, took me about 45 minutes from front door to front door. And now I'm hungry. I'm snacking on homegrown carrots and store bought hummus with a litter of water! I really need to walk this route daily. I may need to start out thrice weekly. And then slowly add distance. If I can accomplish this, it is probable I can lift some of my anxiety and also stop taking the medication with the muscle and joint pain side effect. Y'all need to root me on! I hope to publish a little exercise journal for accountability and encouragement.
30 comments
Great decision to go out for a walk and you took some beautiful pictures. I also need to go for a walk, as anxiety seems to be creeping in for me too 💙
Let's kick anxiety a$$
I couldn't sleep till 5am last night/this morning. What the heck? Not even a full moon! 😅
I had a hard time falling asleep, too. It was because of the lightning.
Hi there. I feel so relaxed by just reading and looking at the photos you take. It really can help our mental health. Getting a walk is really a necessity. And I just love how you say, round is still a shape. ☺️
How relaxation the scene will be ❤️ the green scenery and beautiful hills 😍
Yay! Walking around does help in taking your mind off things. Rooting for you on this !
You have inspired me to take a walk through nature myself soon . Love the pictures!
Been a year of which you have walked before, you to make your walk slow and steady from there your body system will get back in normal activities. Kudos to you for today walk
We are backing you to go all out Tomorrow and then the next day and the next... with time you will get your vibe back and be back to shape, though you're in shape already 😂
Round shape
Nature is healing, mama. Yes, this is good for both your physical and mental health and you blessed us with such a lovely view of your surrounding too. If you cannot fly, run, if you cannot run, walk...the bottom line is to keep moving. One step at a time and I am happy you are well on your way, mama. I wish you more strength.
I will do this every day. And after a couple of weeks, I will go further. It's very tempting to try to run again. But not yet. Let's see how waking goes!
That's good, mama. One step at a time and I believe everything will take shape. 🤗🤗
Round shape. lol
Hahahaha...as long as you are fine and come out stronger... You are a fighter...
I love walking too. I'm no longer in shape and have no body to run but I love my walks. But I don't carry my phone because I'm afraid someone will take it away if they see me taking pictures. Don't tempt thieves is one of the tips given by crime specialists.
This makes sense for your area. Mine, I'm more likely to trip over a cow then encounter a thief or even another person.
It's true, you made me laugh. This is for where I live. Living in the country area isn't very healthy around here either. The cows also give us scares sometimes hahaha.
The picture in my mind! A cow with a robbers mask saying "give me all your mooooney".
No, in the city it is common to meet these people who steal every minute. But in the countryside when I go for a walk, because I love it, you have to get to know the cows there. There are some very annoying cows that chase people. And, I've been made to run from time to time. It's not funny at the time but after the scare it's very funny.
All of our livestock is behind barbed wire or electric fence.
Walking is a great exercise. And offers some opportunities to take some amazing photos. Looks like you got a load of beautiful ones here. I haven't done my walking since I was hospitalized two months ago. I guess I need to start walking again ASAP.
Same. I was not hospitalized, but I was going for tests almost every week for all of 2020. Only to find out it was a medication making me sick. I've been very lazy about exercise since!
you got a nice place there. We only have an empty street nearby and a wide field of green in the plaza. I also love walking around so I never missed a day without walking unless we're having bad weather. 😊
Keep it up maam. Though I am not really fund of doing exercise, might as well do it maybe once a week only when I'm in my hometown..going out in the city scares me a lot. Those pictures you've taken are really nice. You really have a great hometown and there's not a lot of houses along the road unlike our city. It's quite peaceful there in your area maam. God Bless maam
Really looks like a good place to walk or even to ride a bike. Looks so relaxing.
I agree. Walking is such a great way to realx our mind.
Yes, you go, ma'am! It is a great activity to substitute as exercise and you get to relax with the amazing view as well! You are also talented in taking photos, I love them, specialy the road ones. Keep it up, and you may keep us updated. I am rooting for you!
Indeed that nature can makes us feel relax and feel better. It helps to increase pleasant feelings. Its good to know that you have such a nice place to walk and do your exercise there. Continue doing it for it is good to yourself :) hope you feel better from time to time.