Sensory Strides #67: depression; outdoor walking; Richard Louv

05/25/21 • 2 min

Quote “One of the main benefits of spending time in nature is stress reduction.” – Richard Louv

Welcome to the Sensory Strides podcast. Observations of the world through activity, reading, listening, and everything else.

The last few months I have not been as active as I normally am. I had slipped into a depression and was struggling to come out of it. While I recognized my poor mental health status, one of the tactics I used was to eliminate the non-essential items on my list.

I am a list maker and there is always something to do on that list. What I was realizing was my brain and body needed a break from some of those items. So I took a step back from many of the external activities I am involved in and reduced my contributions. While doing this, I also reduced my activity. Even my activity was a list – either a training schedule or a weekly goal of so many minutes of movement.

While stepping back helped me return to a stronger state of mind, the lack of physical activities may have slowed the progress. My husband and I went for a walk last week and I realized how much those walks improve my mental state. That time outdoors, even if my husband and I are talking or I am listening to a podcast or a book, allows my brain to take a break. The fresh air invigorates me and refreshes my soul.

I’m still struggling with keeping a good mental balance, recognizing those things I can control and those things I can’t control. Of course, the things I can’t control are some of the pieces that are weighing heavily on me right now. I need to recognize there is only so much I can do and I need to let go of those things that I can’t do. This is a difficult balance. I have a great support system, but I am my hardest critic and I need to give myself grace.

I hope you give yourself grace for those items you can’t manage and remember to keep the activities that keep you fulfilled in the forefront, even as you may need to let go of other things.

Thanks for joining me. Be sure to check our show notes for links to inspiration items and ... don't forget to stop and smell the roses.

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Quote “One of the main benefits of spending time in nature is stress reduction.” – Richard Louv

Welcome to the Sensory Strides podcast. Observations of the world through activity, reading, listening, and everything else.

I hope you give yourself grace for those items you can’t manage and remember to keep the activities that keep you fulfilled in the forefront, even as you may need to let go of other things.

Thanks for joining me. Be sure to check our show notes for links to inspiration items and ... don't forget to stop and smell the roses.

Find us on Social Media

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sherylmrobinson/

Twitter @sherylmrobinson

Instagram @sherylmrobinson

Previous Episode

Sensory Strides #66 Vaccines; respecting decision; Peter Meiderlin

Quote "In a word, let me say: if we might keep in necessary things Unity, in unnecessary things Freedom, and in both Charity, our affairs would certainly be in the best condition." Peter Meiderlin

Welcome to the Sensory Strides podcast. Observations of the world through activity, reading, listening, and everything else.

We used to start conversations talking about the weather or an activity that was happening in our community. Now a days the question is “have you gotten your vaccine?”. I encourage everyone to be more sensitive with this question. Receiving the vaccine can be a very personal decision and could cause others to share personal medical information they may not want to share. Unlike talking about the weather or a public event, the vaccine is a personal health decision.

I am pro vaccine and believe that receiving vaccinations protects not only ourselves, but others as well. Most vaccines have been around for a long time and have a history that makes people more comfortable with them. As people may know, there are questions regarding some vaccines by some people that disagree with vaccines. I encourage everyone to research any vaccine questions you may have by using well defied medical websites and scientific articles. One key is often making sure that the website ends in org (reflecting a nonprofit) or a solid .com website.

I encourage vaccinating but recognize there are some people that are unable to be vaccinated for health reasons. For those able to be vaccinated, we are protecting ourselves, our families, and our communities.

The only person that can make the decision on your health choices is you.

While I was eligible in the very first round of vaccines due to my job, I did not choose to get vaccinated immediately. My concern was not related to the shortened testing timeframes, I was confident no testing pieces were skipped, just the in between testing step waiting periods. I was concerned about long term side effects. I have since reviewed vaccinations and when long term side effects generally appear and my concerns have been alleviated based on what I have learned thorough research.

However, there were many people, my parents included, where any concerns were offset by the potential negative impact from contracting covid based on their age or other health issues. I never undermined any efforts for those that choose to vaccinate. Everyone’s situation is different, and all health choices need to be made based on an individual’s situation.

I urge everyone to be conscious of what other people’s situation may be and not everyone can get the vaccine or choose to get the vaccine. For those that choose not to vaccinate, they should be responsible for their own health and may choose to continue masking and social distancing to maintain their health.

Remember, you cannot know what someone’s personal history and experience is that supports their decisions. While Covid is a public health emergency, everyone has their own story and has to make the decision best for them. Please support each other and don’t judge each other based on physical observations and respect each other’s decisions.

Thanks for joining me. Be sure to check our show notes for links to inspiration items and ... don't forget to stop and smell the roses.

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Next Episode

Sensory Strides #68: depression; support ystems; trails; Shannon Alder

Quote “A best friend is the only one that walks into your life when the world has walked out.” Shannon Alder

Welcome to the Sensory Strides podcast. Observations of the world through activity, reading, listening, and everything else.

The last two weeks have not been my best. I thought I was coming out of my depression along with the weather getting warmer. Then, I had an interaction with someone that shut me down. I felt belittled and dismissed. I shut down so much that I couldn’t even talk with my husband. I needed to shut myself in my room alone for a few hours. It took me a couple of days before I was able to bring down the walls I had built up and interact with others on a more normal basis.

Then, a series of smaller interactions kept me from climbing all the way out of the hole I was in. I relied on my different support systems and managed to feel strong enough to have a face-to-face conversation with the person that was most central in the different tensions. We had a great conversation and I feel much more positive going into this next week.

It is important to have those crucial conversations when something isn’t going the way you would expect, and you aren’t sure why. You don’t know what is going on in the other person’s life that could be affecting them. Just like I am experiencing depression and know I am being more sensitive due to that condition, other people may have similar conditions that you aren’t aware of. By talking to them on a personal, non-confrontational way in order to learn how to improve you open the opportunity for those more personal conversations and may learn more of the why from their perspective.

It is also important to have support systems with different perspectives. Of course, I have my husband. I also have a very good friend that I rely on who is very analytical and process driven. Additionally I am part of an accountability mastermind group that I meet with every week. While the group mainly helps me with my fitness and activities external to my work environment – like my podcasts and speaking engagements – there is a large trust factor we have built with each other that allows us to share us successes and troubles candidly and know we will receive honest feedback.

I am not sure where I would be right now if it weren’t for these different people. I hope each of you have similar people that support you.

On a positive, the weather has been very warm, my husband has been out working in the fields, and I’ve made it to the county park to hit the trails twice in the last week. Trails are so much more interesting than walking the same route through town. However, I would rather walk with my husband in town than alone on the trails.

Thanks for joining me. Be sure to check our show notes for links to inspiration items and ... don't forget to stop and smell the roses.

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