😴 TREE 302: Take a walk

One.

I’ve noticed that my mental health requires maintenance. When I don’t look after myself, I start to fall apart pretty quickly.

I’ve been working more than normal the last few weeks. Last week I was up against a deadline. I had to miss three runs. I barely went outside. By Thursday night I had enough anxiety that I had to consciously regulate my breathing to keep functioning properly so I could meet the deadline.

Except for inside me, everything was fine. I had nothing to be anxious about. Of course, anxiety doesn’t care about details like that.

I met the deadline. The client was happy. Friday night I went for a run. I’m fine again.

I need to be outside everyday to be okay. I take a walk with my 10 year-old daughter nearly every day. I talk a long walk with my 18 year-old once a week. I run five nights a week. It turns out, all that outdoor ambulation is essential to keeping my brain in good shape.

Get outside and move. You aren’t meant to be a caged animal.

Two.

If you don’t have a human to walk with, you could always get a naked rat bear.

Three.

This song – well, anything by Hayley Mary or the Jezabels – is very good for my mental health. What a chorus!

What are your best tips for keeping anxiety out of your head?

If you missed yesterday’s big announcement, you can read it here.

Stay healthy
Jeff