Are you familiar with a “new” fitness trend called silent walking?
Apparently it has gone viral on social media.
When I saw this pop up online recently, I thought, “Humm? Gotta see what this is about.” And when I read the details, I rolled my eyes. Friends, this is not a new idea. Silent walking is the way mindful folks have been walking forever — without headphones. I’m glad I read about silent walking, though, because it’s definitely a practice I promote, and I’m happy that others want to connect more fully with their surroundings.
Perhaps you may recall previous posts on the benefits of walking outdoors, unencumbered: “Seek Natural Settings For Inspiration And Motivation,” and “The Multilayered Benefits Of Walking Outside.”
I’d like to remind my spiritual travelers of the benefits of unplugging before your outdoor adventure.
Experts say that briskly walking just 20-30 minute a day can improve cardiovascular health, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, boost muscle power and endurance, and improve your mood and sense of well-being. I know that I’m getting a great workout, but the experience is so positively lovely that it doesn’t seem like “work” at all. The labor is lessened and the loveliness is amplified, mostly because I’m tuned in to the sounds around me.
You, too, will reap remarkable rewards, when you leave your headphones at home. Walking unplugged is a great practice for meditation — a way to clear your head and receive good vibrations simultaneously. Nature is my spiritual supplement, offering peace and tranquility and stimulating creativity on multiple levels.
For me, the purpose of walking without electronic devices is to refresh my mind, body and spirit. Where can you delight in your surroundings, enjoy a full-body workout, commune with nature, and restore your soul? Nothing compares to walking in natural settings. But you must remove your manmade devices to receive the full blessing.
Don’t cram your ears with talk shows and distracting music that will diminish your multisensory experience. Unmuffle the melody of the wind whistling in the trees, the frog ribbiting across the pond, and the mourning dove cooing from a nearby frond.
Align your mind with divine designs and immerse yourself in the seasonal seas of sensory goodness!
Consider This
Have you considered the safety issues of walking with your ears plugged or your eyes fixed on text messages? Hindered hearing and restricted sight are causes for alarm. Walking unencumbered helps to keep you aware of your environment and on high alert to your surroundings.
You may be thinking that because you don’t have easy access to natural settings, this post doesn’t apply to you. Quite the contrary! As you’re walking down a city street, focus on what you hear and see. Kids playing and dogs barking. People working. Can you detect nature sounds competing with the hiss of the delivery truck’s brakes? Just because this area isn’t tranquil doesn’t mean you’re not practicing mindfulness — it’s just a different kind.
Four Steps to Nourish, Transform and Flourish
• Set a loving intention to enjoy a walk outdoors without electronic devices.
• Begin by leaving your tech toys at home and stashing your smart phone inside your fanny pack.
• How will walking unencumbered support the mind, body and spirit connection, and help you unwind as you enjoy the multisensory experiences of walking in nature?
• Close your eyes and visualize how this lifestyle change can prepare you for your amazing second half.
Need help devising a fitness and relaxation plan?
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In love, peace and health--
Your feminine glow guide,
T. Kari Mitchell, M.Ed.
Motivational Speaker
Certified Holistic Health Coach
Lifestyle120.com
When your spirit is nourished, your inner light produces an outer glow reflecting your beauty and truth.