Christmas can be stressful but there are ways to diffuse the tension before it takes hold.
Editor Jane Garton looks at why walking and spending time in nature can help to bring some calm as well as benefits for health.
As the festive season hots up so too can stress levels. Present shopping, work deadlines, getting the house ready for the big day, cooking in advance, partying not to mention annual visits to and from family and friends can send anxiety levels soaring.
Sounds familiar? There’s nothing like a walk to lift your spirits and restore some calm as the festive rush takes hold. Whether in a park, down a country lane, through woods, by the sea or even in a leafy area of a town walking is a great way to clear your head.
Read on for the many benefits a walk can have on your physical and mental wellbeing.
Eases stress
Walking is one of the most effective ways to ease stress and brain fatigue with studies showing it can induce brainwaves like those produced during meditation
Boosts your mood
Whether you live in town or country walking in a green space and being close to nature, even if it’s overcast or raining, improves wellbeing, enhances mood and self-esteem.
Improves bodily functions
Studies show that a regular brisk walk increases the capacity of the heart and lungs and lowers blood pressure and harmful blood fats. Walking can also help stabilise blood sugar levels and increase ‘good’ HDL cholesterol. All these things can lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
Strengthens bones
Walking counts as a weight-bearing activity. It stimulates and strengthens bones, increasing their density. It also helps maintain healthy joints so may protect against conditions such as arthritis.
Promotes inspiration
Turning off electrical devices such as your smartphone or iPad and taking time to dawdle, linger or walk more slowly as you absorb your surroundings can sometimes spark ‘lightbulb’ moments.
How to enjoy your walk even more
- If you live in a town or city take a detour from your usual route and explore unknown areas. Notice the trees, the birds, the sights around you. Getting lost is all part of the fun.
- Play a game. Try the alphabet game – walk with a friend and compete to spot words or objects you can see beginning with each letter of the alphabet, in order. Or how about I Spy?
- Kicking a stone, pebble, or fir cone and seeing how long you can keep it ‘in play’ livens up any route.
- If walking alone sign up to Audible or another audio book service and download all those novels you’ve been longing to read, plug in and enjoy.
Herbal helpers to instill some calm
Camomile
Camomile is well known for calming frazzled nerves. Try it in a mug of warming tea and watch the tension ebb away!
Lemon balm
Lemon Balm could provide the sense of calm you are after. It can help to ease anxiety and agitation and soothe an unsettled stomach helping you to get on with festive preparations in a calm, clear and focused way.
Valerian and Passionflower
Valerian and Passionflower are known as herbal relaxants and do just as their name implies – aid relaxation. They are also good for insomnia and general anxiety as well as helping to reduce the physical effects of stress, such as tense muscles and digestive problems.
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