Mindfulness During Walkies

Mindfulness is a popular theme in wellness spaces, but what does it mean and how can you practice it on a daily basis?

The word "mindfulness" refers to letting yourself be fully present in the moment, focus on what's happening immediately around you, without getting caught up in thinking about the past and/or future. The world is a busy place, so mindfulness is an important skill and allows you to take a break from worrying about everything that has to be done in the future.

While some people recommend practicing mindfulness in a meditative setting, such as sitting with your eyes closed, it can be done pretty much whenever - including while you walk your dog!

Next time you and your pup go take a walk together, use as many senses as possible and try to focus on the experience. Some things to pay attention to include:

• The weather: the temperature, any wind, cloud patterns

• Sounds: do you hear birds? Cars? Other people or dogs?

• Sights: plants growing and flowers blooming, evidence of wildlife

• Smells: maybe you smell some honeysuckles down the road, or the breeze carrying the smell of someone's BBQ

  
  

The practice of mindfulness has benefits for both you and your dog! Much like meditation, it's been shown to decrease stress levels in people that engage in it regularly. Dogs, being our best friends, are very good at picking up on how we're feeling. So, a relaxed human helps create a more relaxed dog!

Walks are also an important bonding time for you and your furbaby - you're hanging out together, after all! Being mindful throughout the course of your walk can help take away some of the pressure to speed through it, and allows you both to instead take your time and enjoy it to the fullest. Trust us, your dog will appreciate the time spent together!

Lastly, another way mindfulness can bring you closer to your pup is helping you see the world through their eyes a little bit. Dogs are guided mainly by their nose and ears, and aren't thinking about what's coming up tomorrow. By focusing on just what's around you and the sensory inputs you get, you experience the walk more how they do!