There are so many mental health benefits that come with walking. Lacing up your trainers and taking a walk around your neighborhood, or hitting your favorite hiking trail, a great way to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. And if you choose to walk with your canine companion, it can help strengthen your bond, too!
Alongside packing a few of the best dog treats for your pup, one of the best ways that the two of you can enjoy walking together is to practice something known as mindfulness.
You may already practice mindfulness or heard it being mentioned in recent years, but did you know that mindfulness doesn't just mean sitting silently on the floor with your legs crossed and your eyes closed?
It's true! According to expert trainer Jess Adam, going on a mindful walk with your dog means you can experience the benefits of this practice anytime, anywhere. And the best part? When you incorporate mindfulness into your daily stroll, you get all the benefits that walking brings with it, too. Talk about a win-win!
Keen to learn more about one of our favorite ways to build self-care into your dog walk? Read on as Adam reveals how to practice mindfulness while walking your dog...
First things first, what exactly is mindfulness? "Mindfulness simply means focusing your awareness on the present moment," explains Adam. "Dog lovers can benefit from using mindfulness to help cope with stress and remain present when working with their dogs."
While it's definitely easier said than done (the mind loves to wander!), Adam suggests that the next time you go for a stroll with your dog to practice bringing your full attention to what you notice with your senses.
Here's the sorts of things Adam says you may notice while on your walk:
- "The sounds of your feet and your dog's paws hitting the ground
- The warmth of the sun on your face
- The bold colors of spring flowers
- The feeling of the leash in your hand
- The smell of the air."
And if your mind keeps throwing up thoughts? Adam says to welcome them.
"Try to observe your thoughts and feeling without judgment, reaction or response," she advises.
"When your mind begins to wander, or you start to disconnect from how your body feels, gently bring yourself back to the present moment by noticing and naming what your senses you're taking in."
If you'd love to try a mindful stroll with your dog but are worried about committing your whole walk to it, don't be. Even three minutes of mindful walking can help you feel calmer and more connected to your pup.
As Adam points out, you can always see if you can increase the time as the practice becomes more comfortable for you.
When it comes to our top tips to help keep dog walks fun, practising mindfulness is one of our favorites. Why not give it a go sometime?
