Walking gives a feeling of well being

Love my deep water aerobics!

Taking time to watch the birds, squirrels, and neighborhood cats. Generally getting outside in nature is very soothing.

Not letting other people get me down. Yesterday I was feeling yucky, and was in traffic. A woman in front of me was sitting at a green light because she was texting. I honked, flipped her off, and passed her, behavior very much NOT consistent with me. Once I got to where I was going, I realized I was reacting this way because I felt rotten. She WAS driving badly, but I was letting someone else dictate the way I felt.

I've been hobbling around with a torn ligament in my foot, and I have pretty much been in the house for a month (crutches aren't my friend). I'm getting a walking boot, and hopefully I can try to get back to normal.

My reason in posting this is that the past month has made me soooooo appreciative of the ability to just be able to walk and get around my house, to the mailbox, to the store, to church, to drive, etc. I won't take that for granted again, and I plan to try to be as active as possible when my foot permits!

So my answer to the question is - it is working for me to develop an attitude of gratitude for the abilities I do have and not lament the ones I don't.

Robin, walking helps me, too. I've always loved it...of course, I can't do it to the extent I used to, but - I do know how important it is for my well-being, even if I sometimes have to slow way down because I get a stitch in the old sacral area...my Achilles' heel (you understand ;)

I love walking at a warm-water pool, too. It always makes my whole body feel alive for the whole rest of the day. I don't know how else to describe it. Getting back out is a major pain, though (COLD!) so I wuss out more than I should.

Snowbunny, I agree...when I reach out to others, I feel better too. And nothing beats a hearty belly-laugh!

I didn't realize, Austen, that you'd been house-bound for so long. It is lousy! I always feel better when I've gotten out and gone somewhere - anywhere - and been in some light and seen some people and animals - and had a change of scenery. I hope your boot does the trick.

Debbie

I am glad to know you all are finding activities that make you feel good and help relieve some stress.

Myself- wish there was a pool around here for water aerobics. Warm water has a way of soothing aching muscles and doing aerobics you gain the benefit of building and toning muscle.

Snowbunny- you have the walking thing down...having a pup, I'm sure he loves it as much as you do. I like to gab on the phone with my friends and I skype almost daily with my grandaughter. Being around people you enjoy does make you smile.

Austen, hoping you will be able to enjoy walking again soon. It is so true about being thankful for what we can do :) Being on crutches must give you a whole differant perspective about getting around.

Sherrine, I check out others landscaping too, while I'm walking.
Been able to find out about differant plantings and how to care for them if the homeowner is outside. You are lucky to have your own pool...someday I'll get one too is we make it to Florida.

Debbie, that "old sacral area" starts talking to me if I don't give it its exercise. You know how touchy that region is. I'm glad that you are walking and getting the benefit.

Karen, how lucky to live close to a woods with walking trails, being able to be walk in the woods and see nature up close.

Being proactive and doing things we enjoy does enrich our lives, and we do feel better for it :)

Hugs, Robin

We are right in the middle of the snow melting in the day and refreezing at night. The roads are like ice rinks. I love to walk, but my dog and I can hardly stand up on it. I have been working on the Tredmill, but not the same as outside walk. Spring has arrived, but the cold is still around. It was 23 today. We have 13 hrs. of daylight now. I love outside too and I forget how beautiful our state is someties. I know millions come every year to see Alaska. I need to appreciate it more.

I am waiting for warmer weather too.

Hugs, Karen

So many things can have an affect on our fibro. Nice weather lifts our spirits and is kinder on our bodies.

For some it may be hard to imagine that exercise can make you feel better. Some might think ...I will only feel worse...I'm too tired or achy. Regular exercise really helps both physically and gives me an emotional boost too.

The key is to start slowly and increase your activity gradually. Make sure to do some gentle stretching before and after you exercise. If I'm having a flare, I cut back but continue to move throughout the day or I stiffen up.

Good luck to doing what you can to feel better, exercise is an empowering thing :)

Hugs, Robin

One thing to add for what it is worth: My rheumy told me that when I started exercising to only go for 5 minutes at a time for the first week or two and then gradually work up. He felt that many fibromites pushed too hard initially, got rebound pain, and then had to quit.

Five minutes sounds kind of lame, but it is a start, and if you start very slowly and don't have problems, you are more likely to continue.

Besides, that is five minutes more of movement than you (general) were doing!