Happy weekend!!
I don’t know about you guys, but this week seriously kicked my butt. I was super busy and there has been a lot going on (mostly good things), so I was very happy to wake up this morning and not jump out of bed to write a to-do list.
Although I did finish school work first thing in the morning, the rest of my day so far has been nothing but relaxing. I went for a hike with my little family, and stopped by the farmers’ market to pick up some local goodies – oh, and eat about 1/2 pound of fresh figs on the way home. So yummy!
Helllloooo longest sweet potato I’ve ever seen – should be perfect for homemade fries!
In light of feeling drained from the week, I just came up with a rule for myself: Nothing mentally taxing for the rest of the day. I’ll think about deadlines and other shenanigans tomorrow. For the rest of today, I’m going to take it somewhat easy and give myself some R&R. After all, healthy living is about giving your body and mind time to rest when it needs it!
Last Thursday when I was feeling exhausted, I decided to go hiking with Harley instead of hit up the gym.
Harley running free like a maniac
When I compare the 2 workout environments, the words that come to mind when I think of the gym are loud, busy and high intensity. When I think of hiking in the countryside, the descriptors that I think of are fresh air, calm, meditative and soul soothing. I needed the latter that day, and so off to hit the trails we went.
I’ve come to realize that hiking doesn’t just provide me with a workout. I also find it to be a form of meditation. It’s how I connect with the world and center myself. When I was breathing that open air, looking around me at the newly green hills (YAY for rain!) as I exercised with my energetic dog who had an ecstatic look on her face, I felt grateful, more relaxed and happy.
What brings you peace? What activities center you?
I couldn’t agree with you more. If I could hike everyday I would! Especially when you get to bring the pup and see them happy.
That sweet potato is hilarious!
Me too! Oh definitely, my dog always looks so deliriously happy on the trails. It cracks me up!
Wow, that is a beautiful area. Your dog is so cute looking – reminds me of our sheltie when we let her run free!
Hiking when I use to do it more was very relaxing – now, running is what brings me peace and helps to center me. Even if it only a half mile there is something about it that just helps to center me.
Anyways, love the blog! Will continue to follow – just also wanted to say your header design is very nice looking whoever did it!
Nice, I hear a lot of runners say that it’s their time to collect their thoughts and center themselves.
Thank you for reading Sara!
That sweet potato is so long! And I’m super jealous of your fresh figs!
I definitely agree with you that being outdoors and surrounded by nature is so calming, even when you are being active!
The fresh figs are almost gone already…oops!
I love this! I think yoga gives me peace and I would like to do it more often.
Yoga gives me peace too!!
I always feel more centered after a hike in the hills. I find that being outside is more relaxing than yoga for me, though I do at least 15 minutes of yoga every day {go figure}. Your hills are greening up {finally!} and ours are down here too.
I can’t WAIT for fig season – those are so delicious!
I’m loving the green hills everywhere! So much prettier than the dead and brown we were seeing for awhile right?
I absolutely love hiking! It has become one of my favorite things to do since I moved to AZ. Nicole I can’t get over how gorgeous where you live is! It’s insane.
It really is gorgeous here! I am lucky to be surrounded by such beauty every day. Well if we’re ever in San Diego at the same time, I know what our meet-up will be… a hiking date!