The 15-Minute Magic Power Walk
It not because it's a Monday that I was feeling irritable this morning. It was because I just tipped an entire mug of coffee onto my coffee table/important paperwork/white area rug before I even took one sip of the coffee. And I was trying to work and my neighbor was making some kind of annoying loud grunty noises that I hoped meant he was lifting weights. And then I was standing in the kitchen, just standing there drinking a glass of water, and I somehow fumbled my glass and poured the water on my pants and then dropped the glass and it bounced once before it shattered. It was the bouncing once thing that really irked me.
Sometimes in order to get myself out of tough mood I have to treat myself like an overgrown naughty kid. I send myself on a 15 minute walk even though it's the last thing I want to do.
A 15-minute burst of moderate exercise, like a brisk walk, can create an instant mood boost and give you more energy the rest of the day. Who wouldn't want that?
My magic power walk play-by-play:
1 minute in: I do not want to be going on this walk. I feel kind of like I might be getting sick. Also I forgot to wear my sunglasses so now I am all squinty and that is annoying.
5 minutes in: I finally feel like I've got a nice rhythm to my stride instead of trudging along like some kind of mopey cartoon character. Also my face feels more relaxed which means I might have been permanently scowling until now. That's kind of embarrassing.
7 minutes in: The way a chubby squirrel is walking along a fence makes me smile. I finally notice that the fresh air smells great and decide to open the window by my desk when I get home. I also decide I'm going to try to walk faster on the second half of this walk.
10 minutes in: Finally actually power-walking. I can feel that my heart rate is up a little and that feels good. I say hi to some other walkers.
15 minutes: I arrive back at my house. I'm hesitant to admit that I feel much better. It's almost embarrassing that it was just that easy. But I really do have more energy, plus a couple fresh ideas for my writing and sense of humor about the mysterious grunting sounds coming from next door. Though I do put on some nice cheery music to drown those out.
(photo via: Pink Sherbert Photography)
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Comments
Jacq Monday, February 01, 2010
wow talk about a horrible morning! great tip though! I taking a walk after reading this (also having a bad clumsy day) and it really helped!
Walter Monday, February 01, 2010
I walk everyday for around 30 minutes and cover about 2 miles...it really is good for you and gives you time to think.
Bilal Tuesday, February 02, 2010
This blog entry is a good example of illustrating how our thoughts can affect our reality. There's a pretty interesting documentary titled 'What the Bleep Do We Know' it looks at the relation between quantum physics and consciousness; it stars Marlee Matlin. It's one of those movies that's good to watch with another person because you'll want to talk about it after.
Joe436 Tuesday, February 02, 2010
It's too cold to power walk in New Jersey. Maybe in March.
Marie M.C. Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Love your tip. It does work -- I try for a thirty minute walk and try to make it in the park or down by the beach. Getting off concrete and smelling the grass (and pollen) or ocean is calming and mood elevating. Oh, taking a doggie with you is even better.
Speaking of which -- Happy Birthday Maddie! I hear you're nine years old today. I wish you lots of hugs, sloppy kisses, hamburgers, cake and ice cream. (I must say you don't look a day over five, OK, five-and-a-half, tops.)
jackle61 Tuesday, February 02, 2010
That's our Brigitte,,, get out, shake it off, and move on. I hope you took Maddy walking with you.
jackle61 Tuesday, February 02, 2010
I almost forgot,,, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADDY!!
Wendy Robertson Tuesday, February 02, 2010
I find walking to be the best stress reliever in the world. When trying to quit smoking the first thing i would do in the morning was take a brisk walk. It did help for about 3 months or so...I think I need to take up morning walking again and go for the 6 month stretch this time and maybe permanent quest to giving up the cigarettes.
and a big
Happy Birthday to Maddy form all of us at Tricky Triskuts Bakery for Pets
http://trickytriskuts.webs.com
Rayan Tuesday, February 02, 2010
If it's a rainy day, some good music and a hot chocolate may turn the negativity into a +++ mood, oh by the way happy birthday Maddy!
Blargal D.Alien Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Hello,Brigitte.
There is truth to walking clearing one's mind,and raising their mood. Since the motion of walking is nearly automatic,the mind can literally wander at the same time that the body does. In the cold of winter,I set my bicycle up on a wind resistance mount,facing my window,which looks out on my yard,and Narraganset Bay. I can visualize walking to the bay,as I stay indoors,furiously pedaling.