Spiritual grounding with Nordic walking

In addition to physical benefits, walking can provide spiritual benefits because the activity can foster a contemplative mindset and recommends a walking retreat.

 

An occasional walking retreat is an opportunity to take time away, maybe even walking farther than you normally do. The goal is not to walk to gain fitness but to allow yourself to think, contemplate, and pray.

 

This is a way to withdraw from hustle and bustle and redirect your attention.

 

It shows why walking in general, and Nordic walking in particular, is such a flexible activity. It suits one's life across all dimensions: physical, social, spiritual, and cognitive.

The science of wellness: Smile with your eyes

Here is some information from an article about smiling you need.

Main point: "Psychologists call this [type of smile] the 'Duchenne smile,' and most consider it the sole indicator of true enjoyment."

Key points:

• "The intensity of a true grin can predict marital happiness, personal well-being, and even longevity."
• "...researchers catalogued viewer reactions and found that Duchenne smiles correlated with the pleasant films."
• "Mental health researchers soon noticed that wherever positive emotions went, Duchenne smiles followed."
• "...genuine smiles are not transient sparks of emotion but rather clear windows into a person’s core disposition."

Here is a video about what Duchenne smiles look like:

Keeping up with business

An article described one Nordic walking instructor's journey in reopening a business.

Main point: "As a direct result of Coronavirus an Exeter-based business owner has had to adapt the core activity of her newly launched company, Exe Nordic Walking."

Main points: 

• "Before Covid-19, I attended up to three Pilates sessions and an aqua fit class each week which I had to give up. During lockdown I have Nordic walked every other day and am pleased to find I have maintained and in fact improved my fitness levels.”
• "Now, in line with Government guidelines, I’m able to take individual walkers out, offering daytime, evening, weekday and weekend courses to people of all ages and fitness levels whilst recognising social distancing."