Moving Anxiety and Stress

It is not that I have always been an athlete or have seen myself as one. In fact, that has been one of my biggest obstacles to get over. But put me in the throes of motherhood with a toddler needing every ounce of energy I had and I started looking for ways to find some time alone. This came in the form of running- yes, the activity I told myself I was no good at for years. When I started to let go of that story I found myself putting on my shoes and heading out my front door in sunshine, rain, snow… my feet hitting the pavement and me finding my breath. Fast forward only a few short years after my running debut and loss, the sudden loss of my husband, demanded I continue to put the shoes on and head outside. My anxiety felt like I wanted to crawl outside of my skin. The stress of solo parenting and figuring out life alone was immensely stressful. I needed relief and running put me on trails outside of my house, gave me fresh air and endorphins. Yay to endorphins! They gave my anxiety and stress a break and actually caused some feelings of joy, could that be possible?

These days, four years after Jason died, I got to experience anxiety and stress all over again in the form of a pandemic. Over the years I have listened to my body and found what it needed over the past year was movement outside walking and hiking. Having done many half marathons and a triathlon there was another story creeping up- was this form of fitness enough? And the answer was yes because it is what I wanted to do. With the many, many trails around Bellingham I have found myself hiking almost daily. Being in the woods calms me. Sometimes I am solo, most of the time I am with my puppy and sometimes my daughter or partner join me. Nature gives us free therapy. I have found that trails are perfect for coaching sessions as well and for that reason I take life coaching clients on local trails and let them experience fresh air, movement and place to share and grow.

Movement, to me, is the antidote to anxiety and stress. It does not erase it but it can bring relief and calm. The key is finding the kind of movement that you want to do. It might also require you to get past some resistance and break some old patterns. In a time of social distancing the outdoors can provide a safer space to meet a friend. Or, if you are needing quiet, get out there alone. You may also include kids and help them find ways to cope with their own anxiety and stress. How does your body want to move- have you asked it lately? And have your honored it’s response?

Here's to new trails, forward movement and caring for ourselves in big and small ways!