July 30
Following weeks of a sudden, though desperately needed, abundance of rain, I resumed my walk in the park. Many times, I have lamented my distaste for walking—I don’t enjoy walking as exercise (I prefer my ballet) and I always carry the burden of guilt that I am walking for an hour when there are so many items on my to-do list that I never have enough time for and which remain, undone, on that said list. Not being able to walk the last couple weeks allowed me more time with ballet and a tad more time to get things done.
But I noticed a few significant things that were affected during my lapse.
First, I realized early on how much my mental health has a connection with walking outside. Surrounded by greenery, birds singing, wildlife appearing, and the flowers and fresh air all have a positive effect on my mood. And of course, the sunshine. Because of the rain, the sunshine has been spotty, reminding me of my early years in New England where, because of a brief summer followed by months of mostly gloominess and short days, meant seasonal depression. And so, for the last couple weeks, my mood has been, well, irritable.
Second, the lack of exercise and sunshine also adversely affected my sleep. As an insomniac, I take a plethora of sleep aid supplements before bed, on top of maintaining a routine to help me fall asleep—blue light blocking glasses, electronics and television off, no caffeine after lunch, herbal tea, reading, etc. When I started walking weeks ago, my sleep improved a little. I stopped taking supplements, as an experiment, and I could fall asleep without them. Then when I woke early, usually around two to three a.m., I did not have as much trouble dozing off again. However, in the last couple weeks with no walk routine, my challenge of sleep returned.
Third, despite my distaste for the time involved in walking—a 15 minute round-trip drive, one hour to walk, additional minutes to stretch, a few minutes beforehand to slather myself in sunblock and put my hair up, and a few minutes when I return home to catch my breath, or catch up on weeding the garden or other chores before jumping into the shower—I find I am more productive after my walk. I create ideas and write in my head while I walk. Surrounded by nature, seeing people (and their dogs and kids) inspires me with fresh concepts so that by the time I am ready to work, I have outlines at the ready. I have come to value the relationship of being in nature with its effect on creativity and productivity. And the last couple weeks have been difficult for my productivity.
Hence, the stress. Hence, the overwhelm.
And so today I went on my walk, despite the puddles and the mud I knew I would, and did, encounter, and the heat, though I try to go early, and the crowd of people I must dodge and unavoidably catch bits of conversation, or cringe with the dogs barking or running ahead of their master, unleashed, despite the rule to keep your dogs leashed, and I was hot and somewhat cranky, but then surprisingly invigorated. Which means when I return in another day or two (I aim for three days a week depending on the weather) under slight protest because I hate walking, as I’ve mentioned, I know I need it, and my inner puppy is waging her tail in delight because I will realize another productive, creative, and energized day.
And I will sleep better, which affects everyone’s mood.
Follow Emma Kathryn Harris on Facebook and Instagram.
