6 benefits of Walking Meditations

Everyone is talking about how great it is to meditate and how often we should be doing it. But what about those of us who have a hard time sitting still? For us… there are walking meditations.

​Walking meditations really are a thing! I didn’t believe it until I tried it myself and as an experienced meditator, I can tell you. It really works!
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And it’s so simple. All you have to do is get out and walk. After a few minutes you’ll find your walking rhythm, and your mind will start to clear. I like to do some slow breathing at first or take in a few cleansing breaths. Then I make a mental agreement with myself to not think about anything that might be troubling me for the time I’m walking. All those things will be there when I get back. I like to think of my walk as a little break from the world. ​

Here are 6 benefits of starting a walking meditation practice

1.  It’s a two-fer. You get exercise while meditating. What could be better than that? Instead of exercising OR meditating, you can do both at the same time. This is perfect for those of us who have a hard time sitting still, or if your body parts get  numb when you sit in one position for too long.

2.  It’s easier to focus. When you’re outside you’re more likely to be distracted from your normal routine and have fewer crazy thoughts running through your head. During your walk, bring your awareness to the things you can perceive with your senses. What do you see around you? What do you hear? Can you smell anything? Bringing our awareness to our senses helps us to be in the moment.

3.  You are likely to engage longer. When we sit still to meditate, time can seem to drag. 10 minutes might feel like an eternity. But when you’re walking, 30 minutes can go by quickly.

4.  Walk outside when you can - it connects you to nature. Being outside has a calming effect -- studies have shown that being in nature reduces tension and depression. If you’re not able to walk outside try listening to the sound of nature as you walk or have pictures of nature close to your treadmill. Just looking at pictures of nature has been shown to increase feelings of positivity and emotional stability.

5.  There are fewer distractions. You are less likely to cut your routine short if the phone rings or if you get bored or hungry. When you’re walking, especially if you do it outside or away from home, you’re more likely to set that time aside for walking and ignore interruptions. 

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6. It removes you from your ordinary setting and allows your imagination to roam. A walking meditation can be like a mini-vacation and can give you mind the break it needs to get a different perspective on a situation or to bring in creative solutions to problems.​

There are so many benefits to incorporating walking meditation into your self care routine. And there's no way to do it wrong. All you have to do is go outside and walk until your mind clears and your body feels good. Consider adding a walking meditation practice to your self care routine.