Apr 10
3
Buddy and Michelle Walking to the Library
One free activity to do that is fun is to walk the dog. Not only does it make the dog happy, but it is simple exercise (depending on your speed – you can also “Run the Dog” if you are up to that), gets you away from the TV, computer, video game, etc, and gives you a bit of “me time”.
“But I don’t have a dog”, you say.
-There are other options too. Borrow a dog! You may have a neighbor or friend who would be more than happy to have you walk their dog. They may actually be willing to pay you for it – so not only do you get to do something for free, but you end up a bit richer for it!
“I don’t do dogs.” “I am a cat person.”
-Ok, so walk with some friends, your children, your significant other, by yourself, or hey, even walk the cat! (I have actually seen a cat on a leash before, although not for walking purposes).
The point is to get out and move, breathe some fresh air (depending on where you live), take some time off. Walking is a great time to think. It is also a wonderful time NOT to think. I love to just let the day’s stress drift away as I focus on keeping moving, preventing the dog from leaving a mess in someone’s yard, and looking around me at my surroundings. I am lucky to live in Colorado, where pretty much every walk is scenic.
Getting bored with your same old neighborhood?
- Try walking at a different time of day. My favorite time to walk is at the sunset, twilight and night times of evening. It is hard to grumble about your bad day when you are staring into a sunset, or seeing the stars come out. Also, there tend to be less people out at those times, giving you more of a solitary walk.
-Find a new place to walk. A short drive to the next neighborhood over, to a local park, or a hiking trail will spice up your walk and give your dog something new to smell too. Remember that she/he gets bored too!
“But I live in the city”, you say.
-I have lived in big cities several times in my life. While I never had a dog there, I spent more time walking than not. My favorite thing to do in cities is to find some tucked away place that no one really knows about. In London, I had several tiny parks that I would pop into for an escape. In Berlin, it was walking along a local school that had beautiful graffiti painted on the school walls, and along the canal by my apartment. The key is to find “your place” that you can walk through to feel better.
As with all things, remember to be safe when you walk. If you do take a dog out, remember to clean up after him/her – the world thanks you for it, and it may possibly be the law in your area.
Challenge:
My challenge for you today is to find a place to walk near you. Even if you only go out for 5 minutes to walk to the end of the street and back, take a moment to breathe, to let go of the day, to notice something that you wouldn’t have otherwise.
A Tired Buddy After Our Walk
and as a bonus if you walk the dog on a weekend, you might even meet some of your neighbors whom you can then invore over for more free activities like card-playing or board games…
Seize the Day,
Rob
Simple Family Survival Tips For Disasters and Emergencies
I agree to just get up and move. I also love the challenge to just take a moment and breathe. Thanks for that.
Lynn Lane
Warrior Of Success
Hey if you are single it just may get you the attention that is needed to get a date. This would accomplish 2 things at one time, my mentor would be way happy with that!
Scott Sylvan Bell
scottbellconsultant.com
Now dog-walking is one form of exercise that I can get into. I’ve always enjoyed taking the pooch for a walk, except on those cold, windy, and rainy days.
Was it Ronald Reagan that said “There is nothing so good for the inside of a man as the outside of a horse”? Whoever said it could have said the same thing about a good dog.
I live in the heart of the city across the street from a dog park. All sizes of dogs and cats are walked there during the day. And all types of people…old , young, babies…nothing easier than to start a conversation with someone who is walking a dog if you are walking one too. Especially if yours is a puppy (what’s his name, how old, where did you get him,etc)..the dogs love to play together, too and the children beg to pet the dogs. There is a picture of mine on VOX. Yes, it is done more quickly when it is cold or rainy..I have threatened to get a longer leash and do it from the lobby of my apartment building or just let him down from my window…but the breath of fresh does get me going even in the winter! I think it is one of those “free” things that has so many benefits it should be added to the plus side of the accounting ledger!and it always includes a chance for romance!
Sonya Lenzo
http://www.yourchanceforromance.com
Hi Michelle~
Great to see the photo of you & your dog!
What a great reminder of something we often forget that we can do.
I used to go on long walks with my best friend every Saturday.
We’d wind up walking about 10 miles round trip & have some of the best conversations about life, love & everything under the sun.
Need to get back to doing more of that.
Thanks for the nudge!
Michael
http://TheSuccessSecrets.net
My neighborhood is filled with happy dog-walking people.
One of my neighbors walks his dog on its twice-daily trek through different parts of the historic center of Rome – this way he always stays up on what is going on in that area. He is a great person to ask if you need to know anything about that area!
You made me laugh when you talked about walking a cat on a leash. One of my colleagues used to do that! His cat loved it!
Another topic for your blog of doing things for free: is stroking a cat! I heard that it’s good for our health, too.
Look forward to your future posts,
Eileen O’Neill
Using Social Media in ESL/EFL/ESOL
http://www.EslLessonUsingSocialMedia.com
I’m going on a hike, but I’d like to borrow the dog in the pictures! How cute is he?!!
Walking without the dog is also a viable option. Just getting out and moving is a good idea for most people.
Steve Chambers
Body Language Specialist
Visiting the parents over Easter, no dogs around…
but my wife and I are going for a walk
(no I am NOT implying that she is a dog!)
Mark
Direct Selling Advice, Tips, Skills & Techniques
Lol. Seriously. The dog in our extended family is LAZY and large. I walk faster and further than he does.
My walkies today will be at CostCo.
Happy Dating and Relationships,
April Braswell
Dating Expert and Online Dating Coach
My dog loves to go for a walk. Instead of a leash I bring a cap gun. She will stay with me for the most part, but if I really need her to come or listen to a command I say it once then shoot the gun if she doesn’t do as she’s told. She does it immediatley when she hears the gun.
Lisa McLellan
Babysitting Services, Nanny Services, and Nanny agencies
I have to say that my dog has more energy than I do..
He is never tired after the long walk
Hui Hui
http://chiahuihui.com/
Great picture of your dog and I love the caption, “Walking To The Library” which so ties in with your other post.
The human body was designed to walk at least 5 miles a day. It wasn’t meant to be cramped up in a cubicle for hours on end. I agree…get out and walk. Breathe in the fresh air and get a little sunshine on your face…you’ll be glad you did and it didn’t cost you a penny! 
Yours In Health!
Dr. Wendy
http://www.kettlebellolympia.com
I don’t have a dog to walk but we have an extensive trail system here in Seattle and King County which I do enjoy. There are also lots of off-leash dog parks here for those who want to let their dogs socialize.
Sabrina Peterson, NASM CPT,CES
Corrective Exercise for Every Body