Quinn has maintained a twice-daily walking habit for many years. She is usually driven by the desire and excitement of her black Labrador mix, Beau, because walking is a deeply meditative habit for her.
During her walks, Quinn takes time to appreciate her surroundings: the structure of the buildings, the sky, the smells, the changing leaves. She reflects on how the light hits the sky and the buildings in her neighborhood. She stopped to smell the fresh fall air. Even if it’s just her 15 minutes a day, this grounding practice sustains her and helps her find meaning and joy in the little things, no matter what she witnesses that day at the hospital. Masu.
For Quinn, walking is a spiritual practice. In many faith traditions, walking can be a form of deep observation and meditation. In Buddhism, several practitioners use walking meditation to embrace nature and practice mindfulness by focusing on each step and breath.
monk Thich Nhat Hanh He describes walking meditation as an opportunity to integrate body and mind and find solidarity with the Earth. In the Christian tradition, the following pilgrimages are performed: camino In Spain, it will be a spiritual journey centered around walking.Exercises such as walking labyrinth Use the maze structure to focus your mind and spirit.
The mental health benefits of walking are also well established.by American Psychological Associationeven walking adults half The recommended amount of activity per week (75 minutes per week) reduces depression by 18%.in A study investigating the effects of nature-based walking on mental healthpositive mood and mental health were significantly improved, and anxiety and stress were reduced.
For healthcare professionals with limited time and stressful careers, walking can be an accessible tool to improve mental health and connect with spirituality during busy clinical days. Quinn isn’t the only healthcare worker who incorporates spiritual and meditation practices into their lives through walking.
Heather RudderAn intensive care nurse and nurse coach, she values walking and hiking to help her handle her work in the intensive care unit.
She says: “As I walk, I am in awe of the beauty of God’s creation all around me. Walking helps me shift my focus to nature. Even when I observe the greenery around me with animals running around, When I look at myself, there is always something that grabs my attention and brings me to the present moment.”
On days when Rudder gets a break during his hospital shift, he walks to a small nearby botanical garden to clear his thoughts. Rudder is committed to helping other health care workers enjoy the benefits of walking and organizes monthly hikes for health care workers to spend time in nature.
When asked how walking would impact her career as a nurse, she replied: “Nurses support a lot of weight during their shifts. It’s great to use walking as a health outlet. Your body will thank you.”
This mindful meditation connects me with Buddhist spirituality and connects me with the natural world.
I often struggle to fit it into my own life, so it’s inspiring to hear how other healthcare professionals incorporate walking into their lives. After a long clinical shift, even taking a 10-15 minute walk can be daunting. Instead, I changed my approach to incorporate mindful walking into my daily activities, such as my morning walk to the doctor. When leaving your car, slow down, pause, and try to feel the ground beneath your feet. As you look at the surrounding mountains and the sky, you notice how the wind blows across your face. Take a few slow, deep breaths in time with the rhythm of your steps.
This practice only takes a minute or two and is often the only time of the day I can consciously focus on my health and well-being. For a few minutes, this mindful meditation connects me with Buddhist spirituality and gives me a connection to the natural world. Meditative practices such as walking remind us that we benefit in small ways and renew our belief that we are part of a world far more important than ourselves. I’d like to try a walking pilgrimage someday or take long walks outside every day, but for now I’m grateful to be able to start each day one step at a time with awareness of the world around me.
