I’d like to share more of a personal message with you today. I often share on social media that it is okay not to be okay. Previously, I shared a blog post that talked about coping with lockdown 2. However, I have not quite done as I have recommended what others do. In this blog post I would like to tell you about my journey of walking back to wellness.
Rewind to a few months ago. I was walking 3-4 days a week. I would meet one person from another household. Together, we would go on an enjoyable socially distanced walk. These walks were round Ferry Meadows, Dogsthorpe Star Pits, Eye Nature Reserve, along the river, down the embankment, at the Rowing Lake and more. I was seeing new places, getting some fresh air and some fantastic conversations too.
The fresh air, exercise and conversation was boosting my wellbeing.
Then on a Friday a few weeks ago, I was not feeling it. I text the friend I was due to meet that day and cancelled on her. I said the day was not going to plan and asked to postpone, with just 2 hours to spare.
That afternoon, I sat on the sofa and sulked. I felt awful for letting someone down with such little notice. My mood dropped as I hadn’t had any fresh air or exercise, let alone any social interaction. For the next 6 days I sulked in the house. I was fed up from not seeing anyone, fed up not getting any exercise and fed up that I hadn’t had any fresh air.
The worst part of this sulk? I had nobody to blame but myself.
I have had to really force myself to get back out there and start walking again. Very quickly my mood was boosted. Just one 1 hour walk and my mood had changed. I was feeling happy, healthy and content with life. Seeing my FitBit showing I had beaten by targeted 8,000 steps by a couple of thousand felt great. I was no longer beating myself up for a pathetic 1,300 steps.
I was literally walking back to wellness, and as the song goes – I was walking back to happiness!
Walking is so good for everyone’s wellness. As a small business owner, it can feel lonely. Especially in lockdown when we are seeing nobody but those we live with. But give yourself a break and book in a walk with a friend. I’m not saying it fixes all. I am still desperate to hug my friends, but it definitely helps.
