When I was younger, I often danced alone in my living room in the dark when I was angry, frustrated, disappointed, or depressed. Age and back problems have stripped me of the ability to dance freely and passionately as I once did, but walking has taken the place of dance. When I am feeling very low or distressed or sad, I don’t want to walk. I usually feel physically uncomfortable and limited in my flexibility, making the thought of any sort of exercise distasteful. That is when I need to walk the most!

I may walk with music or a book or podcast in my earphones keeping my mind occupied and off whatever is bothering me. Or, I may walk listening to the sounds of the world and allowing my brain to process the problem or occurrence that plagues me. Sometimes, I walk and my mind is quiet. Often, I take a camera as another type of distraction.

There is such a strong connection between physical activity and emotions. It’s when we want to curl in a ball and sleep that we need to move — walk, dance, run, hike — but MOVE.