Walking and Mental Health
Walking and mental health? How are these two things related? Walking is a physical act and mental health is our brain function, isn’t it? This article will show they are very much related. In fact, I have heard from God more through walking and being silent than at any other time. For me, it has become time spent with God as well as honoring and doing something positive for His temple, my body. He created our minds to guide our bodies and our bodies to obey the mind.
I used to be a distance runner. I was never fast but I developed endurance. I enjoyed training for races to see what my body could accomplish – and it was exhilarating! I loved it. I loved it so much that I read everything I could about it – from selecting the right shoes to how to attain the next PR (personal record). And I loved teaching and training others. This was a good thing – to a point. The pain began increasing in my body and I began taking ibuprofen before each run just to get through! After two knee surgeries (minor so far) and increasingly painful runs, my doctor said to me, “If you want to keep those knees, you need to stop.” I was devastated but secretly relieved because this news finally took the pressure off the decision that I knew I had to make. I didn’t want to “just walk” though. It seemed a waste of time and I wasn’t getting anywhere. But God and my body had other plans changing my focus.
Last year, my beloved sister passed away and my family and I faced several other health and life-challenging issues. Due to health issues, I was not able to work out for months. So I started walking to get out of the house, clear my head and just do something! Of course, I’d wear my earbuds and listen to music as one does. One day, they broke and I just walked in the quiet. A funny thing began to happen. I began to notice my surroundings and nature more. I noticed my mind was quieter. I was truly alone with my thoughts. With the rhythm of this physical movement (without pain) and surrounded by the beauty of nature, my mind wasn’t chaotic and filled with worries, anxieties and endless “to do” lists for once. I began to pray – really pray - without a concern about what I said or rushing through it to get to the next task. And then – I started to “hear” Him speaking! My creativity soared – so much so that I had to record those thoughts on my cell phone so I would remember them later! I am a believer in Jesus Christ as my savior and I believe He is always with me, but I actually hear Him and feel close to Him on these walks!! It has become such a deep spiritual time for me now; something running never did. It is spiritually, mentally and physically healing all in one package!
God created our bodies to house our mind and soul and all parts work anatomically together in perfect balance and harmony. Science has proven this many times over. Chronic stress alone can lead to major physiological problems; even death. It wasn’t an accident that I wanted to go out for a walk when my world was falling apart. I needed to! I’ve learned something powerful with each step. Our bodies were made for this particular physical movement and in turn, this movement allows for a quieter and creative mind to allow healing and imagination. Walking or hiking alone will improve our mental health and in fact, improve all functions; most importantly, our walk with Jesus (pun intended).
Jesus is personal and walks with us. He is the Creator of all things and yet walks with me one on one. How can this be? And yet, it is. Now, rather than pounding and beating my body up causing pain, I am able to continue my journey toward better health through such a simple action. Who knew the greatest benefits could come from such a simple action? Even if one cannot walk far, walk a few steps…and then, a few more and so on. And pray, notice your surroundings, be quiet and listen…for the King is speaking.
Tonya Noren
October 23, 2021