A Positive Distraction for Anxiety

You are not alone. Anxiety affects many people.

Anxious thoughts are never pleasant. Whenever they show up, you just want them gone. You don't want them going rogue.

What to do? Try a daily walkitation. 

Søren Kierkegaard reminds us of the magical affect walking has on our minds, "Above all, do not lose your desire to walk. Every day I walk myself into a state of well-being, and walk away from every illness. I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it."

A walkitation allows you to be in the present moment free from distraction. A walkitation is just you. That's it, just you. It's easy to get distracted by playlists, podcasts, audiobooks and miss out on the head-clearing, stress-reducing power of solitude. I think of walkations as "carrying out the neural-trash". A positive distraction.

I love my walkitations. Here is a photo from one of my recent ones:

Walkitations increase body awareness and improves posture. Post-walk it can improve sleep, enhance memory, and help "keep your head in the game". You will likely feel happier and more energized. You may even ward off injury and illness. 

Think of this as exercise for your body and  brain. 

Where to start? How about 5 minutes. Work your way up to 20 or 30. Find a location where you feel comfortable with minimal distractions. Forget about clearing your mind. Just walk, and see what happens. The more you do it the easier it becomes. Before long you will have created a beautiful habit. 

As Hippocrates said, "Walking is a person's best medicine."

This article was first published in Terry Small's Brain Bulletin newsletter.

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