I vividly recall the afternoon I decided to change my life. What I did can change yours, too.

It was a Sunday. I was in my early 20’s. I had spent yet another weekend locked in my room, crying most of the time; depressed, wondering what on earth I was going to do with my life. I was paralyzed to do anything, crippled by low self-esteem and Monkey Mind reigned supreme.

As I lay heaped in despair, a still small voice inside of me said, “Linnaea, you’ve got to do something. Why don’t you get up and just take a walk?”

Getting out of that bed, getting dressed, and taking that walk was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done. But once outside, I noticed the birds, the trees, the mountains, kitty cats, dogs. It was a blessed distraction. It distracted me from Monkey Mind and created space for the wisdom of the heart to speak.

My life has never been the same.

Walking During Cancer

When I was going through chemo – I had a bald head and little ambition to go outside and walk. However, I did walk – inside my house. I probably walked 100 miles of loops in my living room and bedroom. It was therapeutic and kept my body from getting debilitated from lack of movement.

I was not able to eat much, so I did not have a lot of energy. Walking on the flat services of the inside of my home worked wonders for me.

No drug in the world does as much good as walking!

My wellness Doctor, Dr. Thomas Polucki, wrote an article about the benefits of walking. With his permission, key points are presented here:

Nearly every age group and physical health level can benefit from walking.

Walking actually reduces strain on the heart. Because of the easy swinging and pumping actions of the legs and arms, the heart doesn’t have to work as hard to circulate blood.

Walking reduces stress hormones which can help with managing diabetes.

Walking improves circulation and nerve activity in the brain which can improve mood and memory while reducing the risk of stroke.

Walking reduces bad cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Walking strengthens your bones and fights osteoporosis.

A twenty-minute walk (one mile) every morning without changing anything else could help you lose a pound of fat every month.

In conclusion, take a walk!

• Walk inside if the weather or your strength prevents going outside. Shopping malls are a great place to walk.
• Join a gym and use the treadmill
• Purchase a treadmill for your home
• Find a friend and walk together