There is mental busy and physical busy. Mental busy is when I can’t get my brain to turn off from all of the things that need to be considered, worried about and processed. Physical busy is that very practical list of chores, errands, working, and I know I’ll be non-stop all day.
When things get busy for me, the first thing that seems to go is my workout time or any kind of self care. I just keep thinking that as soon as I get X, Y, Z done, then I will have time to take care of myself. Who has time to workout if there are so many things on my mental list of things that need to be done that day?
Or, have you ever had the kind of mental busy where you have a problem to solve or a decision to make and you are just running a constant loop in your mind and can’t settle on an answer?
I have found an unexpected solution to both of those things. The answer is the just stop everything and go for a walk (in nature preferably) but any walk is good. Don’t bring audio books, or podcasts or any other distractions. Don’t try to use the time wisely to learn anything or catch up on calls. Because here is something amazing that I have learned-
Our bodies can help our minds solve problems. I don’t understand the science behind it all, but when a problem weighs on our minds, or we feel overwhelmed by all the things, going for a long walk will often put things into perspective. I suddenly know what to take off that self-imposed to do list, or the solution to the problem becomes obvious. I think it must be the same science that happens when we get our best ideas when we are taking a shower.
When we start walking, our blood is pumping, our feet are rhythmically pounding and while we are doing all of that, our subconscious is working, allowing solutions to rise to the surface. If you haven’t tried it before, I would encourage you to try it out. Now, don’t walk with problem solving as an agenda on your mind. Just walk. Trust your body to connect your mind with your body. Seriously. As you empty your mind and focus on the walk, the answers will come.
So friends, today, if your to do list doesn’t have any margin, or you are trying to solve problems…just go for a walk and relax. It might be one of the most effective ways to problem solve.
Just breathe and begin again.
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