You know that saying, you can kill two birds with one stone? Well, I totally subscribe to it at least multiple times a week if not multiple times a day. Working a full-time job, trying to get a business off the ground, doing what I can to get and stay healthy, and a host of other things makes for a very busy life. And believe me, I’m not the only one who goes to bed each night exhausted from a long to-do list with items on it that are still undone.
So yes, whenever I can take advantage of that saying I do! Today, while I was walking (for my 4th straight day – yay me!), it occurred to me that not only was I exercising my body, but I was also feeding my spirit, by listening to praise music, which reminded me of just how blessed I was. When I returned home, my body felt great and my spirit was lifted and I knew that it was going to be a great day!
And so, I wanted to share with you a few things that can be combined with walking that when done together the two activities work to motivate you, inspire you and help you to be a better version of yourself. I bet you didn’t think walking could do all of that!
First up is Praise! As I mentioned, this morning I listened to praise music as I walked, and it really lifted my spirit. I’m dealing with some emotional trauma in my life right now that honestly, served as the catalyst to get me back out there walking. The combination of walking and being surrounded by the beauty of nature, while listening to the music, left me no choice but to get my praise on. Even though I’m going through something right now, knowing that God is right here with me is an awesome realization! Here is one of the songs that soothe my soul.
Next up is Prayer. That’s right, you can pray while you walk. Prayer is simply having a conversation with God. We walk and conversate with friends, and there’s no difference here with walking and talking to God. Turn off the music, put down the phone and turn your focus on God. You can do this anytime of course, but there is nothing like doing it in the morning when things are quiet and still.
You can also use your walking time to Learn. I love podcasts. I am subscribed to about 20 of them. Some about weight loss, some about business and blogging, and some about general personal development. For me, because my drive time to work is about 5 minutes, it doesn’t give me enough time to listen in the car. But listening while I walk is actually a better alternative. The only problem is that I can’t write down my aha’s and ideas while I’m walking, but not to worry. That’s where my handy dandy quick voice phone app comes in.
Your walking time is a perfect time to engage in Visualization. Setting aside time to visualize your future is something we should all do daily. Don’t simply let your mind run wild, oh no. What I am talking about is practicing seeing yourself where you want to be in your mind’s eye. Basketball players do this all the time. When they are not on the court, they practice over and over in their minds making those 3 point shots. We can do the same thing. What do you want to accomplish? Losing weight? Writing a book? Buying a home? The list is endless, but the point here is that you can use your walking time to visualize yourself already accomplishing those goals you have for your life.
Lastly, use your walking time to Allow Yourself to Create. Different from visualization, what I am talking about here is allowing your creative juices to flow. For me, the combination of walking, being surrounded by nature and quiet is the perfect set up for my creative floodgates to burst open. I’m telling you, I have so many ideas that have come to my mind during my walking time that I can’t record them quick enough. Stuck on what to write about? Go for a walk. Got a problem at work that you just can’t figure out how to solve? Go for a walk. Need to have a challenging conversation with someone, but don’t know how to approach it? Go for a walk!
Need to kill two birds with one stone? Go for a walk, and while you’re out there:
- Get your praise on
- Have a talk with God
- Learn something new
- Visualize yourself winning
- Allow your creative juices to flow
Your Turn To Share
What can you add to this list? What do you do on your walks to make them more productive? (Psst, if you just simply enjoy yourself while you’re doing it, that counts too
Atim at EffiFit says
I feel I always come up with new ideas or perspectives when I take my dog for a walk. It’s a great time to just clear my head.
Stacey Strickler says
Yes, I agree 100% with you Atim! Walking is a great way to clear your head and to manage stress. Having a dog to walk is a sure way to get your walking in!
nita says
Great suggestions. Right now when I walk I’m concentrating on breathing and how much further can I go than I went yesterday? I don’t listen to anything when I walk, that’s too much technology for me to bother with. I do pray when I walk. Sometimes I do an alphabet prayer, going through the alphabet and praying for people I know whose name starts with that letter. If I forget someone and remember them several letters later, I just add them in. I sometimes work on a project in my head as I walk and take pictures along the way of anything that attracts my interest. Thanks for sharing.
Stacey Strickler says
Hi, Nita! Yes, that’s a great point. Breathing is properly and breathing well are important and a good progress measure, in that the more you walk, you’ll find that eventually, you are not as winded as you once were. I LOVE your alphabet prayer suggestion!!! I am definitely going to start doing that!!!!! Thanks for sharing that!!!
Fran says
Love walking, think it is the perfect time for creating, ideas are always popping into my head when I go for a walk. I also like the ideas of walking meetings.
Stacey Strickler says
Hi, Fran! I never thought of walking meetings. That is a GREAT idea! I’m going to add that to my repertoire! Thanks for sharing!!
Gayathri says
I usually hear audiobooks during my walks. They help me catch up my never ending TBR pile and thus help my blog.
Stacey Strickler says
Hi, Gayathri, Oh yes, I hadn’t thought about audiobooks. I’m definitely going to add that to my list of things to do while walking! Thanks for sharing!!
Morgan says
I love your posts thank you for sharing…I do lots of the same things and also throw in some Steven Furtick sermons once in a while
Morgan recently posted…The Body Remembers
Stacey Strickler says
Hi Morgan, thank you and you’re welcome!!! Yes, why didn’t I think of that? I can listen to my Pastor’s sermons as well as others during my walks. That’s an excellent idea! Thanks for sharing!!
Bellybytes says
I often use this time to catch up with friends on the phone. Talking keeps track of your breathlessness and helps pass the time and also gives you that extra “free” time to do other jobs …
Stacey Strickler says
Hi There! That’s a great idea to track your breathing by talking, and yes you are right, walking and talking with a friend will definitely help the time go by quickly. Thanks for sharing!!!