Understepped

Want to know what the first homework for those taking the Nine8 program is?

Any guesses?

It's not getting 10 pages of journaling in. It's not meditating for an hour. It's not overhauling your life.

It's for you to go for a walk.

Outside.

For 20-30minutes.

Not only are we drastically understepped as a community, but we are often stuck on both ends of the spectrum when it comes to how much effort we put in when it comes to "recharging our batteries". We either want to go full bad ass and have that crazy workout, or we want to do sweet fuck all and just check out.

The power of a simple walk is incredibly ignored, and something we don't pay attention to because walking is only healthy for old people right? Fuck that.

Want to work out, but instead find yourself yawning and feeling heavy? Go for a walk.

Can't focus? Bouncing between your phone, the TV, and 8 differant tasks at the same time? Go for a walk.

Pissed off about something? Kids being crazy? Getting easily frustrated with your partner? Go for a walk.

Happy about something? GO FOR A DAMN WALK!

Seldom in our lives do we get time to ourselves, without intentionally making the time for it. At work we're bombarded with "noise" from coworkers, public, our radios, outstanding tasks, etc, etc.

A simple walk with no distraction (if you HAVE to carry your cell phone because you're on call, just stick it in your back pocket instead of your front. The simple act of moving it from where it usually sits can be enough to stop you from reaching for it), can create the space and clarity we yearn for during those times of overwhelm. And amazingly, can also provide us the energy we don't know is possible when we're reaching for the next cup of coffee.

Once you've gotten out for a few walks, take your game up a notch and try to walk while only breathing through your nose. If you find yourself short of breathe sooner than expected, good.

Slow down.

Slow down until you can walk at that pace while comfortably breathing through your nose. This transforms your simple walk, into a full blown, bonafide badass mindfulness practice.

You're going to feel the benefits.

Go for a walk and tell me you don't feel better. If you can legitimately articulate that you felt worse after a 30 minute distraction free walk, I'll gift you a 4 session coaching package totally free.

Disclaimer: stubbed toes, fly-by bird droppings and other animal/insect attacks don't count.

If you feel better after, all I ask is that you shoot me a message and tell me what happened!

Don't get it twisted, your wellness is a choice.

If you want to sit at home and feel like shit that's cool. If you want to make some changes and start feeling more energy, more clarity, more happiness, that's REALLY cool.

Go for a walk.

All you have to do is make a choice.