Walk Every Day

This morning, I changed a long-standing pattern in my life.  My usual morning routine is coffee, breakfast, the news on the radio, and then... work.

 Today I went for a 20-minute walk.  I've done the reading, and all the sources say it's enough.  I guess it's hard to believe, especially for an old athlete like myself.  After a lifetime of backpacking and climbing, a short walk doesn't seem like much.

 At 60, I don't climb much any more, and my hikes are a lot shorter than they used to be.  So, I'm going to find out if a short, daily walk is enough.  This is my experiment of one, and I will report on it here.  I'll tell you how hard or easy it is, and what the effects are.

 To begin:

  • I weigh 197 pounds, on a large frame, 5 feet 11 inches tall.  According to the charts, I'm about 20 pounds overweight.
  • I sleep about 6 hours a night, usually not very well.  I wake every night at 2am, and have trouble getting back to sleep.
  • I have moderate anxiety about life in general.
This morning, my walk took me down the little lane I live on here in Eugene, Oregon, to the river.  It's a little over a quarter of a mile from my house.  The air was chilly enough to wear a sweatshirt.

I picked some raspberries on the way out of the garden and headed down the road.  I met neighbors who were out walking their dogs, mostly.  Before I got to the river, I noticed the first effect; my mind was running more slowly.  Usually, first thing in the morning, my mind is racing with the list of appointments, emails, meetings and phone calls I'm going to make today.  Now, my mind seems like a friendlier neighborhood.  I seem to be thinking kinder, calmer thoughts.

At the river, I stand for a moment and watch the mighty Willamette rushing past the little path that runs alongside it.  I take in the calm, just briefly, and start my return walk.  Now my mind is very noticeably different.  I feel a calm that is unique in my morning experience.  I am not out of breath or sweating.

Back at the house, I make a quick breakfast and turn on the computer, ready to work.

See you tomorrow!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day Three

Yesterday I waived my daily walk because I was staffing for a rafting trip.  Between paddling the raft and wrangling teenagers all day, I got plenty of exercise.   But it wasn't the same.  The walk at the beginning of my day seems to create a mind-set that affects everything for the rest of my day.  It especially affects how I respond to the many stressful and surprising events that happen in any average day. So, next time I have a very physical day planned, I will still do my daily walk at the beginning of the day.  First of all, it's not that much more exercise, so it's not like I'm going to be more worn out than I would have otherwise. Secondly, why would I try to get "off the hook" for something I really enjoy doing?
Read more

Treasures

Today on my walk, I found some treasures.  First, I am meeting the neighbors.  Many of the residents of this quiet neighborhood commute by bike and on foot this time of year, and I see them as I walk down the lane, on their way to work. There's a older woman who rids her bike every day.  She has the happiest smile on her face every day, as if she is just fine with how her life is.  And the 40-something woman who walks her dog every morning. As I walk down the lane, my mind begins to clear, as usual.  Then, in the resulting quiet, an idea occurs to me that I can implement in my new consulting business.  It's a basic, creative concept, a linking of two principles.  I don't think it would have occurred to me without the walk. It is surprising how quickly this small think, this little walk, has made itself at home in my life.  In just one week, it has begun to change my life.
Read more