Self-care tip for introverts: power walk

As introverts, we thrive in solitude, often needing more time to recharge and reconnect with ourselves. Amid the noise and demands of our fast-paced, hectic lives, it's essential for us to retreat into our own world, allowing our minds to wander and regain the energy that's been drained. This quiet time isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessary part of maintaining balance and well-being.

Self care tip for introverts: power walk 

One way I recharge after a busy work day or stressful period is by going on a power walk. Power walking is walking at a brisk pace. It is good for your health: it strengthens your muscles, burns fat and creates more muscle tone. It is also a lower impact exercise, meaning it doesn't put too much strain on your muscles and can be a safe alternative to exercising. It is recommended to do a walking exercise session of around 60 minutes and ideally you want to get your heart rate up to around 120 bpm during the exercise.  By doing so you will be able to reach a 7 to 9 km/h speed. (I must admit I usually end up enjoying the walk the most with around 105-110 bpm heart rate.) It is recommended to do power walking 3-5 times a week for an optimal fitness.

Besides the physical benefits, power walking can maintain mental and emotional balance of us, introverts. Here's how:

Alone time

I go for a power walk alone. I may end up listening to the sounds of nature, music or a podcast, it really up to what I feel like doing. What matters is that I created the mental and physical space for myself to just be and enjoy the activity, the outdoors and the time alone.

Mindfulness

I enjoy power walking because it is physically somewhat challenging. I feel my legs stretching and tiring, my heart rate going up, my breath speeding up, the cold air entering my nose, the wind blowing in my face, the sun warming my back. It is just the perfect opportunity to just be in the moment, allow myself to absorb the experience and distance myself from the past disappointments and future worries and just be in the present moment.

Rewind and solve problems

While walking fast, at times my mind races as well. I rewind the stressful moments of the recent days, I reflect on the ways I tried to handle difficult situations, even have new ideas on how to solve a though task. It creates the space for me to allow my emotions to surface and really feel them. The repetitive movement and speed just facilitates my thoughts and feelings to be processed. It is a natural safe space to be alone with my deeper thoughts and feelings without any judgement or concern.

By the time I arrive home from a power walk, I feel tired physically and mentally. At the same time, it is a tiredness paired with energy and clarity gained from the time spent in my deeper world. I truly recommend to try it out and build a habit of power walking a few times a week as it can do wonders to your mental and physical wellbeing as an introvert.