We all know regular exercise is crucial to maintaining wellness. Did you know studies have shown regular exercise is as effective as anti-depressant medication at improving mild depression? Of course, walking improves fitness and joint /muscle mobility. A walk also provides variety in sensory stimulation, helping you to change mind set. Fresh air and sunshine directly help regulate mood. And importantly, a walk also allows you the instinctive feel-good vibes of connecting to nature.
So, what to do when you can’t get out? Maybe symptoms of illness are limiting mobility, or you are home with sick children or relatives. In isolation, or stuck in an office building and feeling stressed. The following are steps for getting some of the benefits of a walk, without going out.
- Connecting to Nature:
- Poetry can help!
- Spend some time reading nature poetry. There are some great collections at the bookstore and library. Rich botanical imagery and depth of contemplation about nature in poetry can leave you feeling like you have just wandered through a forest!
- If you have a garden – read nature poetry there!
- Spend time in your garden really paying attention to the plants. You could sketch one or write a detailed description to help you connect. It doesn’t have to be a clever drawing or a poem. The point is to notice detail to enhance connection (the point is the process not the end product).
- If you don’t have a garden – move a pot plant to near your sitting spot, and be friendly, “Hello peace lilly, how are you today? You’re looking lush!”. If you don’t have a pot plant – now is a good time to get one! You can even have one delivered with your groceries.
- Fitness:
- This is a frustrating situation. If you notice self-critical or hopeless thoughts, try to respond to these kindly. For example, tell yourself “this is out of my hands for now” or “this is temporary” or “fitness goals can wait, I can cope with this”.
- Focus on what you can do.
- If you are able, do something active within your house or yard. A few laps of your living room and some gentle stretches can be surprisingly beneficial. A small amount of movement is often just what is needed to feel looser and calmer.
- If you have children, join them in some active indoor play. Or play with a pet! Get silly!
- Crank up the volume on some music that makes you feel good. Go on – have a wiggle!
- If you have a chronic illness, listen to your body and don’t push. Alternate activity with rest.
- Sensory Variety:
- Make yourself a comfortable spot to sit somewhere unusual. Get creative! Be like a kid and make a cushion “nest” or hut under a table or in a quiet nook. Or just use a chair away from your bed /couch. Variety is refreshing and undoes some of the “cabin fever” effect.
- Chill /Sun:
- Seat yourself in sunshine for 10-20 minutes. Either outside or through a window. Be extra careful with skin care if you haven’t been going out often. Sunshine stimulates positive mood.
- If you can’t be outside, open a door /window near you for as long as comfortable. Even in winter it is worth rugging up for the benefit of fresh air.
- Splash your face and hands with cold water or give yourself a cold blast at the end of your shower. You may be surprised how pleasant this can be. Like a run through a sprinkler when you were a child, a little cold shock is a fun thrill.
- Fresh cool air and cold water have health benefits for your skin, and will improve your alertness. It is a wake up call to your nervous system, and possibly your immune system. There is some evidence of benefit for mood, anxiety and other issues. You will notice how much more you enjoy a warm towel or blanket afterwards, as well feeling refreshed.
These steps work best if you pick the ones that suit you and work them in together as part of a daily routine.
Next “Staircase to your Sky House” I will provide some recommendations of nature poetry. If you have been stressed and/or indoors a lot, I hope you enjoy trying some of the above!
Take care x
Sky House Poetry 