by Linda M Hahn

Created on: January 12, 2009   Last Updated: February 11, 2012

In the midst of this chaotic life, with stimulation coming from every direction, whether visual, auditory, or whatever, it can be very difficult to properly focus and stay centered. If you feel too warm or too cold, taste acid reflux, or smell something a little funny, your focus is split. It's important to have a way to reduce stress. It's also important to be able to identify these stressors.  Walking will relieve stress to a great degree.

First test yourself to see what kind of stimulation you are dealing with.  Take a minute to listen. Write down everything you can hear, traffic, sirens, birds, or maybe machine sounds, such as a pump or a refrigerator. Maybe it's your neighbor's weed whacker or leaf blower or maybe it is office sounds, like a ringing phone, talking, or office machines. The wind could be blowing or the television blasting. There might be children playing nearby or teenagers screaming bloody murder just outside the window.

What do you see when you look around? Is there a stack of work waiting for you to attend to it, or people waiting to ask a question, or just some mess to clean up? Whether you are at home or at work, there are a multitude of things that need to be attended. It's very hard to focus when your directional sensors are pulled in every direction.  The question is how to find a safe bubble to hide in while you locate your center. Many people exercise regularly by working out or running, or doing a little yoga. Taking a walk can help you ground yourself and let the disruptive elements dissipate.

Things will of course run through your mind while you are walking.  Think them and let them go. Focus on the walk, what you see, what you feel.  Your leg muscles will be noticeable; but after a relatively short period of time, it won't be the pain of unused muscles, it will just feel good. Your breathing will be heavier and stronger as you continue walking and the flush of good health will be on your face when you finish. You'll begin to see the world around you in a different way. Notice how many dogs, cats, and birds are about, maybe even a deer. Take a look at the trees, the plants, and flowers. Look up at the sky and the color of it, and the shape of the clouds. Feel the air on your skin and smell the fresh outside air. You'll be rejuvenated by this process and start to feel like a real person again.

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