Downloading the tree app

It was great to take a morning walk today. I had breakfast to look forward to when I got home as a reward: porridge and frothy coffee and the morning paper. I was surprised to find that the walk in itself was a reward, especially the cool shade of large trees in the park and on two tree-lined streets. Other rewards I hope for from regular walking are better circulation, improved mobility and improved health generally. I zip about quite quickly on the whole, but when I get up from a chair or sofa I can find my muscles have seized up a bit.

Yesterday, I nearly signed up to another few weeks of the Better Me app with its plan of exercise and diet, but I stopped myself, realising that it would take away my self-efficacy. I had to do it for myself, rather than fall into the psychological trap of paying for something and then waiting for a miracle. A morning walk and a smaller portion of porridge is a start.

Later, when I took Mum to the doctor, the waiting room had this picture on the wall. Even the inevitable screen found in waiting rooms had a ‘nature break’ with images of natural scenes. Those scenes were from around the world, but the one on the wall facing me was a local park in Spring.

Just looking at it was calming and I felt the restorative power of trees.