Welcome to week three of the mindfulness series. Today’s post is all about Mindfulness Walking. If you have missed any part of the series, click here to catch up! As always, remember my disclaimer before practicing any mental health information.
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is a mental health technique that involves bringing awareness and attention to the present moment, without judgment. It is a form of meditation that has been shown to have a positive impact on mental health and well-being.
Practicing mindfulness involves focusing on one’s thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations in the present moment, without becoming distracted by worries about the past or future. This helps to reduce stress and anxiety, as well as improve focus and concentration.
Mindfulness can be practiced in various ways, including through meditation, deep breathing exercises, or simply paying attention to your thoughts and surroundings throughout the day.
Studies have shown that mindfulness can have a positive impact on a wide range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and stress. It can also improve physical health, enhance sleep quality, and improve overall well-being.
Incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine can be as simple as taking a few minutes each day to focus on your breathing and be present in the moment. With patience and persistence, mindfulness can become a powerful tool for improving mental health and overall well-being.
Walk the Walk
When taking a mindfulness walk, the key is to notice the things around you. Notice your breathing and the feel of your body. Also, pay attention to the rise and fall of your feet. Observe the shift of your body weight from side to side. Once you are aware of your body’s movements, it is time to focus on your surroundings. If you need assistance, count your steps up to 10 and start over.
The walk can be as little as five minutes. It doesn’t matter if it is outside or indoors. Like mindfulness meditation, mindfulness walking is best when done daily.
One of the benefits of mindfulness walking is having a better awareness of your surroundings, keeping you safer. Usually, when we walk, we are often distracted by thinking about all things we need to do or should be doing instead of walking. It is perfectly normal to check out during a walk or run. However, using this practice and help elevate your overall mindfulness.
Using your senses, observe all around you. However, do not get lost in your observations. Keep them simple, such as I smell something. I see something red. I hear a loud noise. Do not try to identify those things which do not come naturally.
Your Eyes
As you look around, take notice of colors and shapes. Please do not get lost in their details; only acknowledge them.
Your Ears
If you are indoors, outside the city or country, pay attention to the sounds around you. Again, only notice there are sounds, not so much what they if readily apparent.
Your Nose
What scents are lingering in the air? If you can’t identify them, acknowledge that you can smell something, and then move on to the next smell. Try to avoid getting lost in identifying each scent.
As you finish your walk, return to noticing your physical sensations. Take a moment to consider how to incorporate this practice throughout your day.
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