5 questions to reflect upon during your walks
Walking is a deeply healing physical activity. I think of it as a foundational habit, something that is easy to do, you like doing, and keeps you grounded especially during more than usual “busyness”. Peeling away from your to-do list and asking yourself some simple questions during walks can make it a healing mental and emotional experience.
I am sharing some questions I ask myself regularly with the hope that you find them beneficial. There is no need to cover every question during your walk, think quality > quantity. Close each topic with thoughts of gratitude.
Am I feeling upset, sad, worried, or anxious about anything?
This is a heavy question that I like to ask this early during my walk to talk/vent through anything that might be bothering me. As you think through these constantly practice some self-care. Talk to yourself as you would to a friend who is dealing with these things. Then ask yourself something positive:
Am I feeling Happy/Excited about anything?
Hopefully you have something you are looking forward to, even if it’s something small. It’s also a good time to think and get excited about any creative projects you were working on.
How I am feeling physically?
This question is a good trigger to be more self-aware of your body. It’s also a reminder to think through any goals you have set for yourself and plan the next action. If you goal was to get more steps, then you can start feeling good about working towards that goal right now.
How I am feeling mentally?
This question is helpful if you have been especially busy lately. Having too much on your mind can leave you drained. Reflecting on what you are spending you mental cycles on can be helpful to make sure you are spending time and energy on the right things. At this point I like to zoom out and think of elements from faith or philosophy:
Am I feeling connected to God/Nature?
Connect with nature by observing the vastness of the sky, motion of the clouds, the wisdom and steadfastness of trees. Sometimes I look down at my gait and think of our ancestors walking through 200,000 years ago walking through the Savannah looking down at their footsteps. Of it you are walking at night, look up and think of our ancestors also walking and looking up at the night sky in wonder just as you are doing right now.
Final thoughts
You might think of other questions that resonate more for you, especially on topics that are aligned with your values. You might notice that each question has an “I” in it, because walking tends to be in the “me time” category. It’s not selfish, in fact, when you are mentally sound, you will naturally be kinder towards others.
Finally, be sure to leave plenty of unstructured time for your walks where you smile and think of nothing in particular.
