An unexpected way to get out your head while on vacation
While on vacation for my children’s spring break, I started to feel a little stir crazy. Being with my kids 24/7 on the road is not easy. It’s about serving their needs all the time (while also trying to teach them patience) and that drains. We had a long day at the coast, enjoying the ocean waves and watching the elephant seals in San Simeon and by 4pm I felt more than tired, I felt a little stuck. I could have stayed in the hotel room, my kids were drawing and Antonio was napping, but I didn’t know want to get on my computer or my social apps.
I could feel myself starting to feel agitated and antsy and I knew I couldn’t just stay in that room and that I needed to go outside and take a walk. I had brought some exercise leggings and when I put those on and pulled my hair up away from my face, I felt my mood start to shift.
I realized the angst, agitation and stuckness I was feeling didn’t stand a chance to the feelings of awe and joy that started to overcome me when I stepped outside. The hotel is located on 47 acres of land, with many buildings, a pool and trails. On my short 20 minute walk/jog, I observed the flowers and the birds. I saw the beautiful rolling hills in the background and the central coast clouds blanketing the entire area. I did my best to stay on the dirt trails and not the concrete, I found little stairs to go up and down and I ran up and down different paths, while tracking my distance so I could log 1 mile.
Going for this walk that turned into a jog was exactly what I needed.
My walk/jog was only 20 minutes and I realize on any other day I would have just spent that time on my phone but today was different. The moment I stepped outside and put one foot in front of the other, it’s like my body and heart knew what time it was. It was time to put the mental work, angst and over thinking to the side and connect with something bigger than myself. I was missing mother earth and time to be in it on my terms and I had no idea until I started my jog.
So the next time you feel stuck, angsty or that you’re over thinking, try this:
Pause.
Breathe.
Take one small action—before you feel ready. If you’re like me, put on comfortable shoes and head outside, preferably in a scenic place, but if there’s nothing scenic about the place you’re in, give yourself a chance to look out a window while taking deep breaths and feel your mood start to change.
I’m glad I took action, to get out my head, out of this stuck feeling and to get into my body. I admit I don’t always make the hard choice. Antonio is much more disciplined than me in many respects, he’ll work out at night when I’m ready to get in my bed with my phone or a book. But today I made the more difficult choice, I chose to do the more uncomfortable act and go on a jog while on vacation. I’m glad I did.
If you feel the need to get out of your head, release angst or moodiness, you can also take a class with me or any of the other amazing People’s Yoga teachers in person or on demand. Sign up here.
