Summer's warmth and beauty is upon us! This festive time of year is exciting and often packed with entertainment and social engagements. Relaxation and time to unwind become increasingly important to balance the excitement and joy we feel. Without this balance, burnout and loss of emotional control is inevitable. A simple solution for preventing negative effects from all of this positive stress is walking mediation. Take a 10 minute walk over a lunch break, before breakfast, or late in the evening with the intention of feeling your steps, unwinding your body, and focusing your mind on thoughts related to sensations you feel on your walk.
1. Get rooted. Take a moment to stand in one place. Feet shoulder width apart. Imagine your heels and toes connecting to the earth below. Roots are growing between your feet and the ground. Breath deeply into your belly. Slowly. Peacefully. Open your eyes. See what is around you. Hear the landscape. Smell the air. Feel the wind.
2. Move slowly. Pick up your feet and step slowly. Let your hips sway. Pay attention to tension you feel anywhere in your body. Slow down and allow your natural movements to take over.