Getting Out and About - The Healthier Option

I wrote before about the importance of taking time away from the keyboard. When you’re working for yourself as a writer or editor, doing something that you love, the tendency is to lose yourself in the world of story and character, or structure and style. Nobody’s there to ring the bell for lunch, or to let you know that it’s time to go home, especially when your workplace happens to be in your home. But while you may be working hard to meet objectives, hours of isolation and lack of physical activity only serves to draw darkness into your head and sludge into your veins. Getting out into the light and air will not only give your brain a well-deserved break, a nature-heavy walk will help invigorate you holistically.

The important thing for me when I’m out and about is to include water and trees. Nothing placates and stimulates me in equal measure than walking along the river or lakeshore and through ever-changing woodland. I get to witness beautiful swans flirting as they search for a suitable nest site, or I can pause and admire the awe-inspiring vista of the Dartry mountain range to the north of Sligo town.

My powerwalking workout burns the fat while the combined energy of light, trees, and water eradicates stress and leaves me refreshed physically and mentally, more than ready to dive back into whatever project I’m working on. A healthier heart and mind not only gets more work done, but the quality of the work experience is radically enhanced just by that post-walk buzz.

If you’ve read this, I entreat you to make a little plan to take yourself out each day for a nature-heavy walk. Even if you live in a town or city, there are still parks and rivers that you can avail of to lighten your heart and soul. With the exercise you’ll eat and sleep better, but best of all – your work will benefit beyond your expectations. Go on, give it a try and see how right I am.