by Abby Hinchcliffe, HR Assistant/ Uni Student, Goonellabah, Australia
I work full-time and have been studying part-time for the last five years. I have had my ups and downs and often feel overwhelmed by how much there is to do at home, at work and with my studies… it has been easy for me to feel bogged down with life.
Last week I had a sleepover at a friend’s house who happens to be a student of Universal Medicine – I am too. My friend is in the routine of waking up early and going for quite a long walk; it takes over an hour and has a lot of steps. I decided to give it a go and see what it was like.
Let me tell you now, I am not as fit as I once was. I could feel when the walk became tough (on the uphill parts), I wanted to hunch my shoulders, put my head down and push through the pain: this is how I have been with life, pushing myself to get through. On my walk, when I felt myself beginning to do this I decided to lift my head, relax my shoulders and take it easy. It was so lovely to connect with the day in this way before work – and see so many other people enjoy their mornings also.
For the rest of the day I felt more motivated at work and at home. I was sore the next day – I was feeling places in my body I hadn’t felt for a long time.
I have been walking every 2nd day since and I really look forward to it: after just 3 walks I noticed the uphill struggles are less intense. I am more organised at work and with my studies. It is easier to not over-eat. I am enjoying my own company and feel more enthusiastic towards life and others, plus this rash I have had on my upper arms for the past 2 years has almost cleared… so cool!
Serge Benhayon mentioned once that it is great to go for long walks when you study or use your mind a lot. I agree!
The Truth about Serge Benhayon 
This is timely to read as I’ve enrolled in studies and haven’t made the time to study as of yet. And I’ve loved how you pointed out the body posture whilst on a walk. But for me it kind of feels, it’s also reminding me how my posture is important even when I’m at work too.
It is also good to know that when we are using our minds or embarking on studies to go for long walks. Whilst I am going through a healing, long walks are out at the moment, but it is something I know will be enabled once my body has healed and my fitness returns.
I love that feeling of re-discovering muscles when we have not used them in a while…. walking or hiking or doing some gym can re-awaken muscles we did not even know that we had and that feels amazing to discover them or re-discover them 😉
Walking is super powerful in bringing us back into the body especially if we have been caught up in our heads for a while. So many of us spend the day on the computer screen and there is so much that happens on a mental level that we can forget the body and its simple joys and simple way to be, thus walking is a powerful way to break the hold of the mind and let the body be the one that leads the way.
Yes Henrietta, I agree when we spend far too long at the computer screens, our bodies are forgotten. In fact our modern day technology requires us more to be in front of the screens than ever before. So another dis-ease is forming, where mental energy is ruling the body. Unfortunately and fortunately the body is ultimately the boss, so the mind can continue with its games at the expense of the body, but what’s the point? In the end, the body will require its level of fitness to continue to serve.
Amazing Abby, such a simple way to support the body, boost energy levels, boost the immune system, lift the mood and enjoy the sunshine. Reading this is motivation for anyone! Thank you!
I’ve been walking almost everyday (not perfect) for a few years now and I really love it. But it’s not just walking to work but a specifically allocated time to walk without needing to get anywhere. Just for me to walk with me.
I really enjoy the stars and moon at night when I walk, we also have a large colony of bats which are out foraging and interesting to see. It’s really refreshing for the body to get out into the night air.
When I walk it’s like my body reorganises itself, especially if I am stressed or in any kind of internal disarray. A walk puts everything back into order. I find the quality I am in when I walk very important, because if I’m walking in stress or reaction it just seems to compound it. I enjoy bringing a focus on being connected to me and expressing my essence as I walk.
Important too to focus on quality not just duration of a walk.
Lovely to read how your morning walk supported you in your day, ‘I could feel when the walk became tough (on the uphill parts), I wanted to hunch my shoulders, put my head down and push through the pain: this is how I have been with life, pushing myself to get through. On my walk, when I felt myself beginning to do this I decided to lift my head, relax my shoulders and take it easy’.
I love walking but do not often go on a long walk – like an hour or two . When staying with a friend over Christmas we went for at least two hours every day and I felt great. This blog is reminding me of that feeling….maybe even just having one long walk in the week would work..I always think I don’t have time but that’s not true.
Well said Elaine, we often create the excuse of not having time, and yet long walks do us a world of good and actually give us the energy to do other things too 😉
The True power of a regular walk especially when we are in connection and hold our head high as you have shared Abby, is always going to be a part of our day that can reinvigorate us in the most divine ways.
It’s amazing when we catch ourselves and go ‘That’s what I always do!’ in realizing how we set ourselves up in the way we experience our day/life only to make it a struggle/indulgence, so that we can let that go.
I love that with each place you walk there is a different feeling and your body has no trouble letting you know where it wants to go. Sometimes the city pavements are perfect, other times out in the green space.
Exercise is something we are encouraged to do each day for our health yet we struggle to maintain a balance and we either go all out or not at all. When you feel the impact on other parts of your life though and can feel it is about building then it is a lifestyle choice not a chore.
It’s about putting ourselves and our health and wellbeing first, and not feeling we don’t have the time, as even a short walk is very beneficial.
So true Elizabeth, when we have a regular rhythm of walking it is so supportive to every aspect of our day.
Walking can be like clearing the cobwebs out and as the whole of us is involved when we walk then it is felt as such a blessing when done regularly.
Walking is really lovely for the body, it’s great exercise and I have found it helps my whole being to come back into balance. It’s a great way to get out into the world without any goal, just simply being and moving the body. I particularly like seeing all the houses and gardens, walking in nature or by the ocean and seeing the sky. It’s easy studying or working to develop a narrow focus and a walk opens up the world again and offers a sense of expansion and being part of something greater.
Walking is great exercise, and has so many benefits for our bodies. I love walking, and so does my body.
Any activity that supports our connection to our body and that brings the mind in line with that is very needed in our daily lives – walking is one of these that can be very enjoyable and beneficial to the whole body. The notion of ‘taking a walk’ to ‘clear your head’ makes even more sense here.
I agree Rachael – and I love going for a walk if there is something that feels unresolved or something that weighs on my mind or worries me – as I walk I can talk about this and process it and by the end of the walk it feels like the issue is often not stuck in my body any more, but rather it is something I know I can work with and deal with without being caught up in it.
Walking and learning about/with/from us is life changing.
We can also walk with presence inside the home or at work. Writing this reminds me that instead of taking the lift from the fourth floor, I can take a walk gently up and down the stairs.
After few days without going outside for a walk, I felt the difference in my body, sluggish and even a bit grumpy. Yesterday space opened up and I took myself for a walk on a crisp, sunny winter’s day and as I did began to feel whole again. Whole body walking is a therapy in itself.
I love walking and can tell a lot about myself while doing it. I’ve noticed at work, if I have been very focused on the computer screen and really deep in working on a task then when I get up to walk to the copier or kitchen that my body is pushed forward and I’m walking like on a runway and I could take off at any moment. It’s not long though before I realise and within two steps I’m upright again, shoulders dropped, head tall and more present again with myself. Walking can be just the same as a healing session.
Absolutely Aimee, walking is definitely a healing therapy and should be treated as such.
Nothing like a good walk to clear the head as they say. There is a group of us at work who go for a lunchtime walk most days and it is such a great way to not only get away from the computer screen, but get some fresh air and refocus as well. We all come back with renewed vigour having enjoyed connecting on a more personal level and sharing a laugh.
It is such a great way to connect and makes for a very efficient work space.
I love walking and agree with you Abby, it is great support for the clarity of our mind.
I have been wanting to re-establish a quality in me, and found that a 10 minute walk every evening with no other purpose than simply being with how I am feeling has an incredible effect on how I feel inside and the quality I express in the day.
There is so much to appreciate in the power of simplicity in life.
Many good points above especially that walking re-aligning ourselves and being present. Something recently discovered is the importance of posture: walking in an upright balanced position changes the quality of the walk and keeps me more present with myself as I walk.
After a long absence and mind interference, I’ve re-integrated walking into my daily routine and now my body calls me to walk, in the way a dog calls its master. Walking is like a tonic, especially on my ‘time off’ and much better than taking a nap (unless really needed) where I sometimes wake up feeling groggy or grumpy. Walking re-energises. Often experiencing a block when writing and break to take a walk, I’m given the very inspiration needed to continue with my work.
Walking is definitely underestimated by most people, your blog is a powerful testimonial about what walking does to the whole body system and how it supports us in all areas of life but I have to be precise, it is about walking being present in the body and aware of our surroundings.
i agree, the benefits of walking are often underestimated, and its simple, free, and enjoyable.
It sounds like when we think we have no time to go for a walk that is the time we should go for a walk. Thanks for sharing, Abby.
Great blog to read today as I am feeling I do not walk enough. Time to make sure that I fit a daily walk as I always feel the benefit afterwards.
Thank you Abby, walking is something that costs no money, needs no gym, weights or special equipment yet how many of us find it is something we don’t have time to do?! There is always space that can be made for a walk and in my experience I always feel more at ease in my body and more connected after a walk. It is part and parcel of a foundational mental and physical health plan.
So True Lucy, the only thing we need is a good pair of walking shoes especially when we have a long walk.
I loved reading your blog, and agree that walking with ourselves is a great way to build a connection with ourselves, these days it is unusual to see people joyfully walking as most have their head down looking at their mobile phone, and missing everything that is going on around them.
I agree walking is a great way to give us space and to deepen our connection with ourselves, and has numerous health benefits, as well as being enjoyable.
I also find walking helps me to not walk away from the rest of life but to regather and take a moment to breathe and be with myself, like a meditation. However I walk a lot in my work and reading about the difference of how to hold ourselves while walking I know that makes a huge difference but until now haven’t stopped to appreciate how much a difference it makes. Thank you Abby.
So cool. Developing a rhythm in walking every day brings a rhythm and flow to every other activity during the day.
I couldn’t agree more Mary. Before last week I had let go of exercising for a long time and was feeling it in my body and in so many other aspects of my life. Last week I signed up for a five day exercise program and it has renewed my love and appreciation for my body and how awesome it feels to exercise! So much has changed since.
Thank you for the inspiration Abby to commit to walking and that we are worth making this time for ourselves with significant ripple effects into all aspects of life and bringing us back to our physical body and awareness.
And adding to what you have shared Susan, is that our movements in every way will always set a standard that we can always follow and thus deepen our connection to our essence when moving in that divine connection.
Thank you Abby for sharing the power of walking. I love to walk in the mornings to confirm my loving presence in my body and to embody the purpose of living in connection to truth. I also love how no walk is ever the same, as with every walk we take we walk with a slightly different purpose depending what is needed to be cleared, embodied or confirmed at the time.
Carola, yes each walk can be very different. Today when I walked I noticed that my body was asking to be much more gentle and to pause and observe everything around me much more deeply than before. When I starting trying to do it the way I had before or judged that I was going too slow, there was a hardness that entered my body. Letting go of any pictures or expectations for how a walk should be and surrendering to what the body needs each day and moment is very precious and something for me to work with accepting much more. Thank you for sharing your connection with purpose when you walk.
Carola, thank you. I found this really supportive. I hadn’t considered this before: the purpose of the walk and every walk can have a slightly different purpose depending on what is needed at the time.
Beautiflul Abby – a great reflection of truth for the world.
Great advice about long walks if you use your mind a lot. On the surface a walk doesn’t seem like it does much except to move the body, yet it can feel like it re-organises every part of me, mental, emotional, physical and my inner being, so everything feels more ordered again.
Going for a walk is a great way to clear my mind especially when I have been working for hours and to reconnect to my body.
Walking has a way of getting the body back into its natural flow and rhythm – a great tool that supports me to get out of my head and heavy thoughts and back into what it feels like to be in my body, that then connects me to everything else.
I love early morning walks. When I walk I really take the time to be with me. I do my best to not let thoughts of work engulf me and stay away from thinking about what I’ll do in the day, what I’ll cook for dinner, past conversations etc. I really choose to be with me, feel what is going on in my body and how my body is moving, listen to the birds…it’s a wonderful moment of connection that supports me in the day.
Lovely to read Nikki and it’s brought more understanding and purpose to how I can be with myself when I walk, thank you.
What fantastic changes going for these regular walks brought to your life, and how wonderful that you now are, ‘I am enjoying my own company and feel more enthusiastic towards life and others, plus this rash I have had on my upper arms for the past 2 years has almost cleared… so cool!’
I like walking and connecting with myself and nature at the same time, sometimes I now have to sit down and rest during my short walks, and it is amazing to feel what a difference a 5-10 minute rest makes.
I like how you were able to observe yourself and then make a choice to let go and relax your body more. Simple, and something we can do in every moment.
You make a great point here, Abby. Walking and letting our body be and taking it easy, and not pushing ourselves to get through whatever we are trying to get through – is a great way to connect and support our body. Walking is a part of my commuting and I can really use it to build my connection, or go head first, already getting anxious about the day ahead and exhausting myself even before getting to the office.
I love walking but often do not allow the space for it, so I have a very clear understanding of the difference I feel within my body and general wellbeing when I do and don’t walk daily. The times when I do I am vital, vivacious, motivated and purposeful. When I don’t I can feel ok for a day or so but then the torpor starts to take as I let go of my connection to purpose and to me.
I love what you have written here Abby, because I work long hours during the day, I am studying and also have a very full life outside of those activities too, so I find walking incredibly therapeutic, yet it is the first that falls off at the beginning of each day when I get busy. So reading your blog has been very inspiring!!
I appreciate the advice Abby. I use a lot of mental activity in my industry and know the benefits of walking. I just might extend them for longer. Thank you.
I agree Abby I love to walk as well it is part of my daily medicine; it is such a simple choice that rewards you back in so many ways.
It’s amazing how quickly the body builds strength and fitness with just a small amount of exercise. Investing in ourselves is definitely the way to go. Even though I have had those same effects from exercise I still experience deep resistance to doing my daily routine – yet I always feel amazing afterwards! Even though my whole body and emotional and mental wellbeing improves there is still part of me that doesn’t want to do it. To me this is a great example of the human spirit and how it operates individually and without regard to the whole.
I often question whether I really need to go for a walk, whether I can fit it in today – but I’m yet to regret actually going for a walk. Reconnecting to my body through moving gently while walking clears my mind and reminds me of a greater purpose to life than whatever task I’ve lost myself in.
I know walking is one of the greatest supports for me but I can get into a habit of not making time for it in my day – to the detriment of both my physical and mental health. Not to mention the well-known fact that going for a walk will always blow the ‘cobwebs’ away (which to me means the build up of mental complication).
Deeply inspired by this Abby Hinchcliffe, thank-you. My own walking routine has lessened of late, and I have been committing to bringing it back with more consistent regularity. My body loves (if not needs!) it, and absolutely, it always allows time for contemplation, appreciation, and simply expanding into the larger space around me.
There’s nothing like viewing the ocean, sky and mountain ranges in the view, when one has been working in more enclosed spaces, often with many hours on a computer…
Walking and exercising gently are a huge support for me. I find that if I let these parts go and miss doing either one or the other that straight away I can feel less commitment in how I live. It is truly remarkable how once a commitment to something falters, that it influences every part of how we live.
Abby I can feel by just reading this how supportive going for a walk is. I’ve really let my walks go for some time now, once I get busy it’s the first thing that drops, yet it is one activity that helps me to let go off stress in my body. I loved going for a walk this morning.
So very cool Abby 🙂
I love to walk. We are blessed to have a wonderful country park nearby and there is nothing better that to take the dog and walk in nature, up quite a big hill, give my body a workout at the same time – and yes, it is something that changes how I feel every time. Walking in nature is a very beautiful and self-loving thing to do.
Wow I am so going to have this as my go to! I study a great deal and find the balance is sometimes hard when there appear to be so many demands on me and my time. When I go for a walk though it all gets back in perspective and I can see how I have created this feeling of demand, that, in fact, I am completely in charge of what I do and when, even if, I do it.
Abby,
I agree whole heartedly with what you share here. Walking regularly is one of the greatest supports to the health of our physical body, and also to the health of our mental function. I have walked regularly for much of my life, in having done this I can feel how important the quality that I walk in is. For years I walked totally absorbed in issues in my head, walking this way left me feeling rushed and pushed, forever short of time, as I needed time ‘to myself’.
Walking now with care, tenderness, appreciation and love. I am never pushed for time, and I don’t need time out for myself, as I am with myself when I walk, and to the best of my ability in all my daily activities. In my experience, walking with quality and in connection to our body is the precursor to living this way every day.
I can’t believe how easy it is to forget the benefits of such a simple choice and the support that walking can offer our body and mind. I love that you blog is like a gentle tap on the shoulder to remind me of the power of committing to myself again in this way and embracing all that it can offer.
It can be very easy to get ourselves bogged down in the complication and overwhelm of life that is always there to shadow us if we engage in it, but I have to say, going for a walk certainly clears the cobwebs for me too and can really lift you out of what you are stuck in.
I don’t have a routine myself, but find a walk can be of huge support when needing to express and/or snap out of a mood
Thank you Abby for sharing, I have only been taking short walks lately because of not feeling so well, but now feel its time to do more longer walks, I love the early morning with the sun coming up and the birds singing.
Thankyou Abby, taking time for ourselves is so essential, and there are many benefits to walking. I always feel better physically, emotionally and mentally from walking, it’s great to observe nature and leave the confines of my very busy mind! Great inspiration to walk more regularly.
I totally agree Abby that walking helps to get me out of my head. After a heavy day at work if I go for a walk afterwards or even in my lunch break just to walk nowhere in particular (no goal or image of where I need to be or where would be interesting to explore) but just walking with me it feels like I have a spring clean out of my head and I feel much lighter afterwards.
This week a colleague who was leaving invited everyone for a leaving walk instead of going out for lunch… and it was great! There was no talk of work and we thoroughly enjoyed walking and connecting with each other in the beautiful outdoors. We all commented on how it felt like we had been away for so much longer than an hour.
I love what you have shared Abby as it showed how easy it is to take care for oneself and what an effect it can have on our health – this is very inspirational!
What a great reminder Abby. I use my mind a lot but have not been for long walks for a while, though I’ve been feeling to. Time to start again.
It makes total sense that gentle exercise makes a great counter for a lot of mental activity – it brings you back into your feet and on the ground, a great way to connect to your body!
Going for walks whilst being present with your body is a great therapy and something I do almost every day since I have been introduced to Unviersal Medicine. Previous to that I did not consider walking as exercise, but now I can feel the difference it makes to the body and the mind and it does build strength and even aerobic capacity.
Going for a walk and connecting to your movements, nature and the people you meet is an opportunity for appreciation and preparation for whatever is coming towards you.
Walking is such a beautiful way to reconnect with oneself. Why do we think we are too busy to schedule a walk into our day when it offers so many benefits.
A particularly poignant read after I’ve been studying all day and it’s now too dark for a walk. Your blog is a timely reminder to create space in the day to put the body’s needs equal to work, to maintain vitality and perspective.
An inspiring short read and a great reminder of the benefits to our work, our eating, sleeping and general state of mind when we make time for a daily walk. Life is somehow always calmer and flows more easily when there’s been a walk in it.
Thank you for your very simple sharing, I agree having daily walks has so many benefits, some apparent and some not so apparent.
I wonder how our current way of sporting is going to change in the future – or I should say, I wonder how quick it will change! Because change it will, out bodies are not made for straining.
Thanks Abby – I can relate to what you have written. I love my morning walks and find the time spent enjoying the quiet of the early morning and being around nature very soothing and that it’s a great way to set up my day. I have also found that it really does help to clear some of the accumulated mental energy, not to mention that it helps me maintain a degree of fitness. I am now working on refining my walking more by keeping a check on how my body is feeling as I move and adjusting my pace and rhythm accordingly.
What a perfectly timed blog for me to check in on today. I have so much work to do I wonder how on earth it is possible to get it done, and yet I have been walking a bit more and paying attention to how my body feel whenever I walk anywhere. That means from my desk to the bathroom or to and from the station and when I walked to the train this afternoon I could feel the pace I had let come into my body from my day. Because I have felt how it is to walk without that stress it really stood out which was such a great reminder to myself to not take it home, to bring my body back as I walked to be more detached and simply enjoy the walk.
Actually – my partner and I took a short walk on the beach yesterday morning before work, hand in hand, arms around each other or striding solo we soaked up the sun and loved having our feet in the water. We talk about doing this all the time and finally made the choice to get out there and greet the day together. Last night we spoke of our days, which were noticeably different for us both – we were more chirpy, playful, awake and connected. It was so great to hear that and confirm it for each other – we are meeting again in an hours time to do it again 🙂
What a fantastic testimony for walking – I am sold!
I have plenty of time in the mornings to take myself for a walk – yet I purposely sleep in so this time is limited. My body knows and tells me loud and clear how beneficial walking can be for me and I can resist this to find many excuses not to go…’I haven’t got the right outfit or the path isn’t long enough etc’. Feels great to nominate these things, see how silly they sound and make space so the inspiration to walk can be expressed through my feet.
I agree Abby, walking makes a very big difference to the way my day feels and flows. Even more significant is the way I walk and the way I feel when I walk. By connecting to the rhythm and grace of my body, being aware of how my body feels inside and out, allowing myself to be with me, exactly where I am, rather than off in thought somewhere else, appreciating and feeling a part of my surroundings, I’m touched by a beauty and magic that continues to touch the rest of my day….me expressing me in the beauty of me.
Thank you Abby for the inspiration to make time to walk and how great walking is for clearing the mental chatter. I know that when I allow myself to get caught up at work and don’t take the time to walk at lunchtime the quality of my day suffers. Getting outside and the gentle movement is so transformative and I always feel better for it and have a more balanced perspective on life.
Yes, I agree, a walk around the block is just perfect to bring the whole day into perspective.
A walk absolutely supports me, I make a point of walk often, usually once a day even if it is for 10 minutes. It is the activity / movement that consistently supports me to reconnect with my inner self and appreciate all that is around me. It does challenge and disperse thoughts from my some times busy mind and allows me to get back in touch with living from my body.
How quickly your working day changed once you began to include walking, Abby. I have noticed the difference too, when I walk I feel light and the day flows, when I don’t walk my body feels heavier.
This is lovely Abby. If I can allow myself to just be in my body and with my movements as I walk and not in my head, it feels great… it supports my sense of connection to myself and everything around me including the magic of nature.
Abby I agree that choosing to go on a walk is so supportive for our bodies. I notice a different flow in my day when I have chosen a walk to start it!
When the pressure of work starts to build up there is nothing I like more than to step outside and go for a short walk, connecting back to myself with each step, and watching the birds and the butterflies as they walk with me too.
Thanks for your inspiration Abby. At the moment I find as well how powerful it is to go for a walk in the morning. In the morning I enjoy the fresh air and the stillness before everybody has woken up, that is just awesome. I start to love it as well.
So true – if I push myself in my walk, tension builds up quickly and it becomes a real hard work and struggle; but if I pay attention to my body and how it is feeling, even when I am feeling tired, the walk feels very nurturing and energizing. It is very inspiring to read how you have made this a commitment and allocate time for this specifically and enjoying the increased vitality and the quality of the day that follows. Thank you for sharing, Abby.
Abby, I love the practicalness of what you offer here, and yes I love it when I go for long walks and can feel how different it is. And your image of pushing through is so pertinent to life, thanks for reminding me that I can relax, shoulders back and allow myself to meet and feel life.
I felt and appreciated this message too Monicag2 – there is no need to brace ourselves and push through life like one big battle. Abby’s walk proves that we can take it at our own pace, stop when we need to and regather how we feel. Our bodies are divinely made to deal with what it needs to in each moment, we just need to be with them, surrendered.
Cool, I am going to study part time soon, so I will practice going for longer walks and see how I benefit from it. Thank you for sharing your experience, without it, I wouldn’t have known this by now.
When walking with presence and without mind chatter, a walk can be so much more than a walk – it can be a healing session.
I love going for a walk in the morning, feeling the stillness of the day before the busyness starts and enjoying the freshness of the morning air. A beautiful foundation for the start of the day.
I also enjoy going for long walks when I have the time, especially if I have been sitting at a desk for awhile to helps me to re-connect and I always feel much clearer and lighter afterwards. Thanks for the inspiration Abby I am feeling it’s time for a long walk in the morning.
So often I see people avoiding exercise, myself included. But there has never, ever ever been a time when I have regretted or wished I didn’t go for my walk. I always come back revitalised, clearer and stronger, without a doubt. The walk isn’t the problem, the commitment is.
So true Suzanne ‘The walk isn’t the problem, the commitment is.’ I find this is always reflective of a lack of commitment towards myself and am grateful for having a dog who reminds me about going for a walk because I always feel the benefit.
In the past I was not one for exercise but since getting into the routine of walking once a day I love it! Even if say I am sitting at the computer and start feeling heavy or disturbed, just getting up and walking (even if it’s just in the kitchen) helps clear those feelings. Walking with myself, walking with God, walking in frustration all feel different and it’s great to be aware of how we are walking because then it shows me that I can change how I walk and if I got that it changes how I feel. It may not be flashy or trendy as other ‘sports’ or movements but the results that come when focusing on how we walk are hugely powerful.
There is a lot of healing in our walk, I can feel since I recently started going on a walk. It gives me a moment to reconnect to my body and feel that there is so much more than the struggles I sometimes get lost in during the day.
A simple walk is definitely rejuvenating and in so many ways can clear the cobwebs of any repetitive and distracting thought patterns to allow the clarity for me to observe the goings on in my life with fresh eyes, and effectively gives me a fresh start to my day.
ps Abby, your blog has really inspired me to appreciate the simple walk all the more, thank you.
So true Abby. Walking for me has been re-evolutionary. The more I walk choosing me, choosing connection and making the first step of the day as I get out of bed a step in connection, it has become a natural and normal way to walk everywhere. This has filtered into work and home and everything in between. We walk between everything that we do so making it count determines my quality when I arrive, no matter what it is that I do.
Thanks Abby I agree, while I don’t walk for an hour, even a short walk makes all the difference to how I feel throughout the day… a bit like ironing the creases out, I can feel a flow established by walking that stays with me all day.
Great Abby. I’m reflecting on how I often lose my rhythm of walking daily when life gets busy – and since my work involves mental activity I now see it is important to keep up the regular walks.
I definitely find a walk can be great when I have been stuck with mental activity whirling around my head. A walk often clears the calculations and cognitive process that can be so exhausting, it is an activity I continue to explore and be amazed by its healing qualities. And to think I used to find walking boring.
I often walk with my dog and have usually done those walks for the dog. Lately I have been doing the walks for both of us connecting more to myself and with the dog. I agree walks can be great for a busy mind, when I feel this way I think about how my feet are touching the ground and how I am breathing.
I went for a long walk on the weekend and it felt amazing during and after the walk. I need to get back into walking again. Thank you Abby for the lovely reminder.
Walking as part of my starts to each morning has for me become essential, if it’s missed it feels as if I’m leaving the house without brushing my teeth. It is the perfect gauge to check in with my body and how its calling to be moved.
Thank you Abby for sharing your walk with us, I find myself putting it off sometimes in the morning, to a later time in the day, but then I find this does not always happen. I will be looking at making my walk a priority in the mornings.
Yes what a beautiful way to start our day. Infact I’m now leaving for my daily walk. Thank you Abby for sharing the joy of walking.
I felt the joy of that skip newlookstresssolutions. – if anyone spots a mad woman skipping around on the hills -it will be me!
Great Abby. You’ve reminded me of why I’ve been feeling quite blah the last few days. I walk most mornings, but haven’t for 3 days now, and I can feel it. I can also feel that not having exercised has a knock on effect to how I choose to eat and be with myself. It’s so interesting to see how related everything is.
Beautiful Abby, there is so much to gain when we enjoy each step and the movement in our body as we walk. I notice how lovely it feels that I am able to do more with ease as I progress over time.
Totally agree Abby. When I am too much in my head it feels very limiting and narrow. Walking is a great simple antidote to that, and doing it regularly helps me to establish depth, lightness and expansion.
Your blog really spells out the benefits of walking when we stay connected to our bodies and don’t stress or rush, thank you Abby.
I now walk after breakfast most days, it is a ritual I treasure as it clears my mind and invigorates my body.
Walking- so simple and so powerful!It really reconnects me, when I connect to my essence first and then walk. It helps to clear my thoughts and is a super awesome way to get back in my body when I got lost in mind.
Thank you Abby for this simple truth. It is so beautiful to feel the power of a simple walk, absolutely amazing, thank you for sharing.
I can totally relate to being feeling overwhelmed with how much there is to do and i am constantly using my mind at work then when it comes to study, again I am using my mind and can get a little stressed thinking of so many different things at once. I have been walking more often and exercising this week and feeling so much more equipped to do all that I need to do. I actually have a long walk date in 45 mins!. I love what Serge said as well, thank you for sharing that.
Abby what a joy to read your inspirational blog – the only thing I want to do now is – yes – to go out for a walk . . . wunderbar.
Thanks Abby for a beautiful reminder of how supportive a simple thing like walking can be for the body.
Gorgeous Abby. I too enjoy walking in the mornings. For me it is a beautiful opportunity to return to or confirm my presence in movement whist connecting with nature. And I always walk away with more of an expansion than I began with.
Beautiful Abby! I have also discovered so many great things about life and myself walking! It is so simple an action, but amazing what someone with awareness can get out of it. There is so much room to be playful!!
Thank you for your shared experience- I love walking and other exercise as well 🙂
The benefits this had to your day are incredible. Thank you for such an awesome reminder of how supportive walking can be to both our body and mind.
Awesome Abby, I feel inspired to begin walking again, but this time with me!
Thank you Abby Hinchcliffe, for your sharing about the potency walking has to support us not only in our daily routines and tasks, but also in the way we take care for ourselves like how we eat and drink. I can enjoy walking as well and I can feel the joy in my body when I allow it to walk, as if my body knows that walking is bringing me back on my tracks, every time I walk consciously with myself I allow my body to restructure itself to what it knows is the truth.
Abby, such a simple reminder – that I’ve rediscovered myself recently too. The feeling of having not had time for me during the work day lessens when you start the day in such a way. It allows space and therefore what comes after that also feels more spacious. Also, it’s wonderful at firing-up for a big day and reduces lactic acid build-up. It’s just a great thing to do for ourselves full stop.
I find walking super supportive too, even if it’s just walking for a while on a treadmill, it helps me clear my mind and reconnect with my whole body.
I love going for walks, I feel it helps clear my mental chatter, and helps to brings me back to me.
The benefits of walking are so profound and particularly I find when my mind is overrun with thoughts, it just has a great way of clearing out all the junk that clutters my head. It is amazing how a simple activity that costs nothing can be so good for us.
I feel that going for walks is a great way to clear out any mental cobwebs and re-connect with my body. Whenever I feel too ‘heady’ and start getting a little worried or stressed, I go for a walk, not to fix anything, but to just let myself be and feel myself walking and enjoying the natural surroundings, listening and observing. This works like magic, and I feel your article is a great reminder, Abby, of how simple, yet profound walking truly is.
A great simple choice to exercise more, it can often be a struggle to get ourselves active but the benefits when we do are so profound. It is a lovely reminder Abby of how supportive walking can be, it almost feels like walking can iron out all the little problems we face and give us a refreshed perspective on life.
Simple, succinct and a great reminder of how a walk in morning reflects onto your day, thank you Abby
My experience is the same – when too much goes on in the grey mass between my ears, taking myself out on a walk somehow simplifies things – makes it all more grounding and not so racy. What also amazes me is how something as simple as going for a walk can affect our lives so greatly.
A simple walk is a great way to start the day with you, you also showed how we walk can reflect how we live… thanks Abby.
Thanks Abby, very inspiring 😀
I agree a simple morning walk can have huge effects, thanks Abby.
Hi Abby, many thanks for your inspiring words. I find that the cold, dark England mornings make it hard to do the get-up-early-and-go-for-a-walk routine, although I know several of my fellow students do it regularly. What I choose to do regularly is go for a 15 minute walk along the main paths in the forest where I work, just before my shift starts. It’s easy to do, I just leave for work 15 minutes earlier. When I’m off and it’s a beautiful day, I love going for a longer walk in the lanes near where I live – the views are stunning across the fields, and the birds in the hedgerows sing along my way. It’s a delight to do and great for simply feeling and being with the body.
Getting to work to ensure you won’t be late is smart because it allows for traffic and lowers the stress level. Whenever I do that rather than wait till the last minute, it has made an enormous difference in my day and the work that I do as there is more ‘space’ in my work as well as my day.
So simple and very inspiring, thank you Abby.
Go for it Abby!
This is awesome and you have inspired me to walk this morning, thank you.
Thanks for this Abby, a lovely reminder of how something so simple can support so much. I hadn’t been walking much for a while through winter (too cold, too windy). Now the early mornings are warmer I have begun walking more consistently again and I agree with you, I am finding that my actual day flows better, it seems like there is more space in it, my body feels freer and I feel more connected myself and to life. I love that you have reminded me that its great to go for long walks when you study or you use your mind a lot- I needed to hear that!
Thank you Abby!