Our daily lives.

In our daily lives, we often are too busy to notice what is going on around us. Then stress and indecision may creep in. Walking is a way to bring our minds back to the here and now.

Spinal surgery

Early in April of this year I had spine surgery. I’d been suffering with pain due to severe stenosis in my lumbar spine. The surgeon and hospital staff all agreed that walking was the best thing to do for healing. Well when I started, I could only walk the length of my driveway with my walker and a brace around my waist. It was slow and painful but it got me outside in the fresh air.

New and different.

Walking can be new and different every time you try it. Not only the scenery, but how you walk changes. Sometimes you may walk slowly, taking three steps for every in-breath and three steps for every out-breath. Other times you may need to move more quickly.

No matter what you choose, bring your awareness to your steps. Become rooted in your body and senses, established in time and place. In other words, enjoy the fresh air, the trees and flowers, the ground beneath your feet, and just breath.

The breath.

While breathing take in the area around you. You may walk the same path every day or you may choose a couple of days to walk a different area.

You may also decide to use your walking as a mindfulness practice. If so, as you take each step be aware of how the sole of your foot feels as it touches the ground. If you find your mind wandering, silently repeating a word or two can be helpful. It will bring your thoughts back to each step. One suggestion: say “arrived, arrived” with each in-breath and “home, home” with each out-breath.

Walking is also one of the best ways to remove ourselves from the situation that is causing stress, getting some fresh air and exercise, and coming up with solutions or ideas.

By the way, I am now walking a mile with no walker and no brace. My pace is faster and there is very little pain. Walking is one of the best ways to get your body moving.

Have a pleasant day!

Ann

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