Healthy Endeavors: Developing Healthy Eating Habits for Life! » Play

Walking as Meditation

Wendy — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:48:27 +0000

I saw my friend Deb yesterday and as we were catching up, she mentioned that she’s been making it a priority to walk 45 minutes everyday. As a health coach, you know I love anyone that’s making regular, daily exercise a priority. And I was struck by something she said — walking is meditation for her. She’s outside, connecting with nature, seeing various kinds of wildlife and really getting quiet. It helps clear her head, gives her focus and is thoroughly refreshing.

What she said really resonated with me. Many of you know that I’m a big fan of slowing down and tuning into one’s body – I feel like it’s one of the most important things we can do to sustain our health. So walking as meditation is really an extension of that and a way to get exercise too. Interestingly, I decided to forgo my trip to the gym yesterday in favor of getting outside and going for a walk. I’d been holed up in my windowless office all day and with Deb’s inspiration I set off for home to change my clothes and get into action.

I often do a lot of walking but typically I walk with my fiance. We look forward to connecting at the end of the day and getting some fresh air, and we have several different routes we like to take through the neighborhood. It’s always something I look forward to, especially now that the weather is warming up. But walking by oneself is a whole other experience that I love just as much. As I hit the streets yesterday, I really reveled in getting quiet, listening to my footsteps, the birds, feeling the crunch of dead pine needles beneath my feet. Not only did I slow down but I tuned into my body and felt what was going on – I was totally present in the experience, not just in my head. And as I went, I naturally forgot about my long list of things to do and just really enjoyed some time to myself.

I love this concept of walking meditation as a tool for better health. Do you ever practice walking meditation? What’s it like and how does it make you feel? I invite you to share your thoughts here.

Try Something New

Wendy — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 00:53:40 +0000

Summer is finally in full force, and the living is easy! Do you notice how during summertime everything seems promising? The plants are in full bloom, the sun feels glorious on your skin and the longer days give you boundless energy, making you feel like it’s possible to achieve all your desires and dreams. Why not harness this energy, ride the wave of summer and try something new?Throughout the year we are conditioned to run our lives at an intense pace (physical, emotional and mental), and we often get stuck in a routine, either for the sake of efficiency or out of fear of unfamiliar territory. The lack of variety in doing the same things over and over not only stagnates our minds, but our bodies and hearts as well. Hesitant to break your routine? It is interesting to note that fear and excitement have the same physiological expression in our bodies; it is our mind that classifies the feeling as either positive or negative. So the next time you consider a change in routine and your mind says, “scary!” see if you can re-frame it as, “exciting!”

What is something you have never done before, or that you have wanted to do for a long time? Choose your own adventure: organizing a kayak trip, taking a dance class, doing some exotic travel or setting a goal for a new personal challenge. Or try something simple, like playing flashlight tag with your kids and neighbors or reading in the sunshine. Maybe it’s time to discover a new vegetable dish or to visit a new town, restaurant or beach.

Whatever adventure calls to you, use this summer to make it happen and enjoy the life you came here for. Increasing new experiences and excitement in your life can decrease your need for and dependence on artificial stimulants like caffeine and sugar, leading to more vibrant health. Watch out for massive improvements in physical well-being, mental acuity and motivation, plus a full portfolio of fun!

Eat Less, Play More

Wendy — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 17:24:34 +0000

Remember when you were a child, and you got so wrapped up in playing, imagining or creating that you didn’t want to stop when it was time to eat? Do you remember leaving your meal half-finished to run off and continue playing? Children innately understand that food is secondary to what is most nutritious and primary in life: fun and play.As adults we seem to have lost our instinct to prioritize play. In our busy world with its emphasis on work and responsibility, being healthy and balanced needs to include feeding our hearts, minds and spirits, not just our bodies.

Have you noticed that when your body, mind and spirit are engaged in a creative project or happy relationship that your reliance on food seems to decrease? Likewise, when you are unsatisfied with your relationships, your job or other areas of your life, you may lean on food to cheer, soothe or numb you. When your life is out of balance, no amount of food can feed you at the level where you truly need nourishment. The food that we eat is very important for health and balance, but what really feeds us-a full and fulfilling life-doesn’t come on a plate.

What is fun for you? What makes your insides light up? What excites you? Make time for it this week. Even if you don’t have much time for fun, try approaching a “serious” activity with an attitude of play. This can greatly reduce stress and anxiety and bring pleasure to your day. Take your focus off food, try adding more fun into your life and watch the magic unfold.