WALKING: MY THERAPY
In the moments when:
- I didn't know anything,
- felt pain,
- was desperate,
- felt inner unrest,
there were no quick solutions to the problems,
in those moments I grabbed my dogs and went out.
For hours on end. Rain, wind, or preferably sunshine, it didn't matter. We were outside as much as possible.
I still remember a hike as if it were yesterday.
My life seemed particularly chaotic that day and I was overwhelmed by my thoughts. The confinement of the room suffocated me and I needed space.
So I packed provisions for my dogs and myself in my backpack and started walking. There was no destination, just out and walking.
Outside, I felt free. My mind had something to do and nature distracted me. I wanted to tire out my mind and body so much that I only needed to go to sleep afterwards.
In nature, I found peace, was able to breathe, was able to be. I loved the solitude and the vastness. We simply did what felt right: took a break, ate something, kept going, stopped at streams or lakes and watched the insects on the flowers.
We were in the moment and that was only possible for me at that time with my dogs and in nature.
That day, we were on the road for six hours.
Our tip for you to be in the moment?
Activate your senses!
What smells are in the air?
What do you see right in front of you?
What can you hear?
How do the leaves feel?
How does your snack taste?
If you focus on your senses, then you are in the moment. In that time, turn off your head, your thoughts, and treat yourself to a break.
A SMALL INTRODUCTION TO FOREST BATHING
Every day we take at least one long walk. This is our time for quality and it is valuable for body and mind. We consciously use our senses. It's best to do the exercises in a quiet place like the forest or park.
The aim of these exercises:
- to be in the moment
- to switch off & relax
- to quiet your thoughts.
Seeing
Look at the environment where you are allowed to walk. Make sure to observe only and not to judge. Give your thoughts a break. Take the opportunity to train your eyes, look into the distance and then what is right in front of you. What colors do you notice? Do you see clouds in the sky? What do they remind you of? Can you observe animals, what are they doing? What do you see right in front of you? What can be recognized in the distance?
Hearing
Be quiet and listen. Close your eyes for a moment. You will notice that during this exercise the thoughts in your head become calm. You are in the moment. Do you hear the birds? The sound of the wind in the trees? The raindrops?
Feeling
Find a tree, a stick, or a leaf. Take it in your hand. Look at it closely and then touch it. How does it feel? Is it pleasant? Connect with nature. What is the weather like? How does it feel on your skin or in your face? Can you feel it?
Smelling
Close your eyes. What can you smell? Do you smell the scent of the trees and leaves? What feeling does that evoke in you? Do you discover a flower? Smell it.
Tasting
Take a tea with you on your walk. When you arrive in nature, find a quiet spot. Activate your senses intentionally: Seeing & Hearing. Then touch your teapot and take in the smell of the tea. Drink your tea and pay attention to the taste. Be in the moment and enjoy it.