When did you last take time out for yourself and stroll along the fence of nature? Mindful walking is one of the most effortless activities that could rejuvenate you.
However, don’t perceive this as an activity only to pass the time. It will surprise you, the magnitude of solace which you can obtain from mindful walking. And with a total of just three steps, you will reap the maximum benefits off it without exhaustive efforts!
Meditation: Focusing on your breath
Walking seems like a simple task, no? Unless you were an infant, why would you need an instructive lesson on walking?
Oh well, the kind of walking you might have done so far is the robotic one. It has been fed into your system and comes out algorithmically.
That is the first thing we need to focus on when walking mindfully. Now, isn’t that an awfully big word? What does being mindful in walking even mean?
Let’s begin with focussing on that air entering and leaving your body. Breathing is just as mechanical as walking. But it’s time you thought of nothing else but the steps you took and the air you breathed.
That is the first beauty that mindful walking will bring to you.
Acknowledgment: how your body feels
Now that you have taken care of the previous step, next comes acknowledging how your body feels.
Once you have your breath under your mindfulness, observe what the different parts of your body are sensing.
Begin from the bottom. You should feel the status of your legs wholly, moving to your torso, arms, neck, and so on. This is the time that you take to honestly face the truth that you have been putting away for so long.
During the long and tiring days and nights that swiftly pass by, you seldom give your body the required attention. You force yourself into the next day without giving your body time to replenish to its complete extent.
So, next time you are on a walk, make it a mindful one by checking the second step too.
Introspection: how your mind feels
So far, you have focussed on your respiratory process and how your body feels. Now, it is time to move on to the toughest part of mindful walking.
In simple terms, introspection refers to examining your mind, thoughts, and emotions. Usually, you might act very put together, but the point of mindful walking is to let yourself feel vulnerable.
You will be on par with your difficulties in their raw form, which won’t seem as big anymore. In this flow, there will soon come stillness that will give you a sense of deep solace.
At that moment, you will have calmed and rid yourself of your worries, even if temporarily.
In conclusion
You could be a student drowning in academic pressure or an adult struggling to balance your professional and personal life. You can wholeheartedly cherish a walk amidst the breeze if you have a mind open enough for it.
And a little bit of time to spare, of course!
But more than that, look at mindful walking as something necessary for your mental well-being. If you begin from there, the rest will follow through seamlessly.
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