Take a walk on the mild side
TAKING a walk outdoors can work wonders for your mental and physical health during lockdown, but to truly embrace the benefits, experts say we must bring our body and minds in sync.
Known as ‘walking meditation’, this type of mindfulness in motion is about more than just getting from A to B.
Rather, it’s an opportunity to clear your mind of any internal worries, by hyperfocusing on the rhythm of your steps and tuning in to what’s going on around you.
Also know as ‘kinhin’, this type of peaceful practice is part of several forms of Buddhism that involve movement and periods of walking between long periods of sitting meditation.
“Taking mindful moments for yourself whilst exercising is important to help get perspective on your thinking,” says Sarah Romotsky, director of healthcare partnerships at Headspace (headspace.com).
“By incorporating mindfulness into exercising, we can help ground the mind, let go of negative thoughts, and manage the mind-body connection. Regular meditation trains and re-programmes the mind to be more open and less reactive.”
Alongside this, meditation can also enhance empathy, increase your attention span and help you to sleep better at night.
“It’s also scientifically proven to help alleviate stress and increase happiness,”
Sarah adds. “It allows you take a step back from stressful situations, pause the mind and feel better in the moment.”
She adds: “Try meditating by focusing attention on the environment around you, taking in all the sights, sounds and smells – particularly those you would not normally notice.
“Whilst moving, your attention should be focused on the act of doing and the sensations your body is experiencing. This can prevent distracting and stressful thoughts, helping you to refresh the mind, and tune into the rhythm of the body.”