RE: The Outdoors
November 2, 2020 at 9:35 am
(This post was last modified: November 2, 2020 at 9:43 am by Sal.)
I like going for walks.
The reason(s) being, more than any physical health benefits, although those undoubtedly are a bonus, are due to mental health ... stuff. I have a need to distract myself from time to time, and going on these walks, while I am putting one foot in front of the other, outside, does that. It's better than the psychotropic drugs I take daily.
Coupling walks with my mindfulness practice, and - for a short while - all the crap occupying my consciousness becomes foggy and distant, in a positive way, for me.
Also, hiking (where I can't couple it with mindfulness) in the mountains also puts my mind "at ease". Basically I have to spend all my focus on my footing and balance, so it leaves little room for thinking about anything else, and that's even better the more difficult it is to maintain footing and balance depending on the terrain. But, unsurprisingly, the aftereffect once the walk is over doesn't last long, and how long depends on a number of unknown factors on my mind.
All the scenery is a 3rd bonus too.
The reason(s) being, more than any physical health benefits, although those undoubtedly are a bonus, are due to mental health ... stuff. I have a need to distract myself from time to time, and going on these walks, while I am putting one foot in front of the other, outside, does that. It's better than the psychotropic drugs I take daily.
Coupling walks with my mindfulness practice, and - for a short while - all the crap occupying my consciousness becomes foggy and distant, in a positive way, for me.
Also, hiking (where I can't couple it with mindfulness) in the mountains also puts my mind "at ease". Basically I have to spend all my focus on my footing and balance, so it leaves little room for thinking about anything else, and that's even better the more difficult it is to maintain footing and balance depending on the terrain. But, unsurprisingly, the aftereffect once the walk is over doesn't last long, and how long depends on a number of unknown factors on my mind.
All the scenery is a 3rd bonus too.
"The first principle is that you must not fool yourself — and you are the easiest person to fool." - Richard P. Feynman