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So ‘going for a walk makes you feel better’?
I doubt that opinion will get much opposition on here.
Does anyone have thoughts on all terrain rollators? My " walking days " are over due to incurable balance problem, and I NEED TO FIND WAYS ROUND IT!So ‘going for a walk makes you feel better’?
I doubt that opinion will get much opposition on here.
I totally get this. It's the duration as well as the change of scenery, and perhaps perceived distance from the worries and stressors of home. I think the duration is especially important because this gives you some space from the thought that it is only temporary (at least until the home stretch!). And of course the Camino attracts a certain percentage of like minded people, who become more open as they walk which can help you feel less alone with the things that worry you at home - because we are all similar. At home the majority of people simply pretend they are ok as a way of coping."Solvitur ambulando", not really a new concept, true.
As someone with chronic depression, I have to say though, that there definitely is a huge difference for me between a nice walk in my area and a long distance walk on the Camino de Santiago. Both is walking outside in nature, but it is not the same, and it does not have the same effect on my depression.
So, it's not just "going for a walk" for me.
I often get told "but you can go hiking at home, too".
Yes I can, and it helps somewhat. But it's far from being the same.
It's like comparing drifting in a pool on an inflatable mattress to sailing the oceans around the world with a sailing yacht. Both are on a swimming device in the water, and both is probably nice in their own way, but they are still two completely different things.
For me it is the mix of long distance, the "vibe" on the way, being outside walking all day for weeks, and the kind of people I meet while walking, that is perfect (for me!) on the Camino.
I haven't found that yet on my walks at home. I enjoy them, but it is not the same.
Going for shorter walks at home I feel better while walking. Walking a Camino, I feel better for months afterwards.
Walking the Camino saved my life. Going for a walk at home definitely didn't.
For others of course the experience might be completely different. Some thrive on routes where they don't meet anyone. Some get the effect I get after six weeks of walking after three days. For some, a daily twenty minutes walk around the house might be enough.
I guess all I wanted to say is, I can relate to that Gronze article. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks to Alex and Laurie for this. I really liked this article so much. It encapsulates the benefits of walking and also the how the Camino exponentially magnifies these benefits. I have a group of dear friends who I love that I went to college with . We have been close for over 50 years. We just buried our first brother a few weeks ago. Before his diagnosis 3 years ago you would have thought he would have lived until 100.I just stumbled upon and article on www.gronze.com (Thanks, @peregrina2000 ) that may help/get insight for new as well as experienced pilgrims:
Camino de Santiago, ¿puede ayudar a superar una crisis existencial?
Parece comprobado que las personas muy reflexivas o personas con altas capacidades intelectuales suelen experimentar más crisis existenciales que el resto de los mortales; pero no es exclusiva de perswww.gronze.com
Use Google Translate/Chrome browser to read it in your own language.
I. agree you may not get much pushback from the forum. As I wrote before previously, (before I saw your comment) that I sent this article to my dearest friends. It may not change many attitudes here but it can't hurt to help spread the wealth of the joys of walking a camino.So ‘going for a walk makes you feel better’?
I doubt that opinion will get much opposition on here.
I have struggled with coming home and trying to live the life we lead on camino in "real life". That is until I realized that for me, "real life" is the camino and the spirit of joy and contentment I have on the camino is one of the prime motivations for me to go every year. I have given up trying to merge the two lives into one. It is almost draining for me. Instead I just live in the duality of both lives and with my most intimate loved ones I can share the love and longing I have to get back to my "real life" on the camino.I totally get this. It's the duration as well as the change of scenery, and perhaps perceived distance from the worries and stressors of home. I think the duration is especially important because this gives you some space from the thought that it is only temporary (at least until the home stretch!). And of course the Camino attracts a certain percentage of like minded people, who become more open as they walk which can help you feel less alone with the things that worry you at home - because we are all similar. At home the majority of people simply pretend they are ok as a way of coping.
My Camino was the most free and ok I'd felt for a long time, but it does tend to taper off once home and back amongst the things that came before. But, I think this is where you then realise after the initial disappointment that this is just an ongoing Camino lesson, a lesson that it is naïve (certainly on my part) to expect to come back and carry on as normal but still be forever changed. I think probably the Camino is never done with you in that respect.
Same."Solvitur ambulando", not really a new concept, true.
As someone with chronic depression, I have to say though, that there definitely is a huge difference for me between a nice walk in my area and a long distance walk on the Camino de Santiago. Both is walking outside in nature, but it is not the same, and it does not have the same effect on my depression.
I took to cycling when my knees decided not to cooperate with walking. Then one decided it didn't like being put on the ground with anything less than tender and gentle loving care. Fine for riding, hated stopping. So all stops needed very careful planning as I couldn't retrain my brain to use the other side leg. My solution is a trike. Not a granny upright thing, no way! A stylish and sporty recumbent, thank you. Only snag was hills, which I cured by getting one with electric assist. There are various makes, some delta (one wheel at the front, two at the back) the others two at the front, which tend to be more reclined and somewhat better at fast cornering. The deltas are probably easier to get in and out of. All will carry a decent amount of kit or tow a trailer. They are most of them good on tracks (with the right tyres) but not in mud. About the same as a gravel bikeDoes anyone have thoughts on all terrain rollators? My " walking days " are over due to incurable balance problem, and I NEED TO FIND WAYS ROUND IT!
Would-be comedians kindly leave your witticisms elsewhere!
Samarkand.
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