The Benefits of Taking a Break and Going for a Walk for Your Riding and Your Life

I realized how much the short walk had benefited me…..

I just got back from a mid-morning walk on a sunny winter day. I didn’t get the best night’s sleep last night and was feeling a bit unmotivated and stuck around updates I want to make with my business and on my website. So I decided to let go of the struggle and go outside for a walk. The sun and the fresh air immediately began to clear the cobwebs in my brain. And by the time I was heading home, I had all sorts of ideas and clarity as to how I want to proceed with my business changes and my website updates. The added bonus was I had no plans to do a blog today, but as I walked in the door I realized how much the short walk had benefited me and I had to share.

This practice can be used to help you become more clear and confident in any part of your life, including with your riding…..

I often talk about getting outside in nature as part of a mindfulness practice. It really does help me to let go of my worries and become more present and clear headed. This practice can be used to help you become more clear and confident in any part of your life, including with your riding. If you have had a busy day and are heading out to the barn to ride, take a moment to go on a short walk, if the weather allows. It will help you let go of your busy day and become more present for your ride. If you don’t have time to take a walk or the weather is bad, slow down and really connect to the process of grooming and tacking your horse. That will have the same benefit of bringing you into the present and connecting to the task at hand.

A nice walk after you ride can also help you to understand what worked and what didn’t….

A nice walk after you ride can also help you to understand what worked and what didn’t in your ride. You can take that time to learn from your mistakes and focus on what went well. Then once back from your walk, you can jot down all your thoughts in a journal to help you keep track of your plans and your riding progress. Whenever you feel stuck in any area of your life, just get up and talk a walk or do something different for a short time that you enjoy and that takes you away from your worries. You will be amazed at how you will find clarity, make plans and be able to move forward towards your goals!