Walking Keeps You on Your Feet
Tunnel vision. I feel constrained. As if I am locked in a dark cave. Then I hear a continuous high-pitched beep. Next, I see the machine rotating from the inside. When a sharp pain shoots through my right leg, I wonder what the outcome will be. Goodness, this is taking an eternity. What in reality is half an hour seems to last for hours. Suddenly, I again behold the bright fluorescent lights of the MRI room. Then, with swift steps, the neurologist approaches, followed by a tall blonde woman who looks at me seriously. When I reflect back on twenty years ago, I realize how grateful I am to walk every day in the Algarve.
Wake-up call
Then the surgeon shakes my hand and says, “Doctor Popovic, nice to meet you. Mrs. van der Zee, I will keep this brief; I had a party planned for tonight, but I have canceled it. You will be undergoing surgery in three hours. If you continue walking now, you will not only become paralyzed but also incontinent.”
Walking in the Algarve
My world collapses. Walking is my passion and my life. As a child, I walked miles along the Frisian dikes and floodplains with our dog Max. I felt free and happy, distracted by the wind, the beautiful vistas, and the cows in the fields. No matter what happened, a walk in nature offered me perspective, balance, solace, comfort, and a good mood. As a treat, I always enjoyed a delicious cappuccino afterward. Not being able to walk would be a disaster. Nowadays, I walk every morning at sunrise. Always with our dog Joy and sometimes with Eus, a friend, or with guests. You discover the most beautiful places when you go walking in the Algarve.
Wanderlust
It is no coincidence that I want to take a closer look at the theme of walking now. This is in memory of a friend/fellow walker who sadly passed away last Sunday on his birthday. He knew how to show you the most hidden spots of Monchique and the Algarve. Through winding, impassable paths. True wanderlust!
Nine Benefits of Walking
For me, walking is one of the ingredients for a happy life. But how can I persuade you? Let me list the benefits:
- It is an accessible form of exercise. Moreover, it’s free! You just step out of your house and you can start walking.
- It does not deplete you but instead energizes and relaxes you.
- Research by Professor Scherder has proven that an hour of walking in nature boosts your brain performance by one-fifth. It also increases creativity. However, this does not apply to a walk in the city.
- Walking improves circulation in our bodies and enhances communication between our left and right brain hemispheres. This way, you can more easily connect with your intuition and feelings.
- Additionally, walking in nature is a balm for the senses. When I step outside, I see a colorful sunrise, smell the sweet fragrance of lavender, and hear the ocean along with a chorus of crickets and birds. And I feel fantastic.
Walking Together Connects
- The best ideas and sharpest focus come to me while walking in the Algarve. If I need to solve something or come up with a new blog idea, I go for a walk.
- Walking together connects you in an organic way; you are not forced to sit face-to-face and can choose how much eye contact you want. That’s why I coach while we walk.
- If you suffer from back pain like I do, it disappears like snow in the sun while walking. Long sitting is unhealthy for anyone. A break with a nature walk is good for ‘body and mind’.
- Nature radiates calmness and balance. By moving organically in nature, you can let go of processes through your feet.
- Do you have any more suggestions? There are surely more.
Come Here to Walk in the Algarve
How did my operation turn out? Right the next day, I had to start walking. It was clear to me that this operation had been successful. It also carried a warning of a second chance. With a golden handshake, I started my own journey as a coach and trainer. As a walking coach, I could strengthen and align my back. If you want to catch the walking bug, join us for walking in the Algarve. Together, we’ll explore this paradise.
