Move Over, Anticipation!
Our Ruby girl is looking substantial these days. Maybe a better description would be colossal. In fact, I don’t remember any of our mothers showing that they are with child more than this! Time will tell how many pups she will imbue life into.
As the days draw close for those pups to make their way into the world, I find that I am embodying anxiety and anticipation right alongside Ruby. Just a few more days, sweet Ruby! You can do it!
We are trying to help Ruby stay as comfortable as she can, but as we both walk forward with a bit of anticipation, apprehension, and excitement, its reminding me to think through - how do I slow down, catch my breath, and deal with anxiety when it surfaces?
I’m sure that Ruby and I both do that differently. And yet, maybe there are some strategies we share. And maybe, just maybe, I can learn a few things through observing my furry friends.
When our dogs are anxious, one thing that they generally don’t do, is simply sit still and stare off into space. They move. Sometimes, they chew things, get into trouble, jump up, pace, wiggle around, or peel out in an all-out run. But movement is something that I often see.
It’s like they know what their body is asking for, and they respond.
By contrast, when I’m anxious, I sometimes give in to fretting…just mulling over what I am anxious about, overthinking, and searching the corners of my mind for some invisible answer.
Today has been a day like that. So many things to balance here at the farm - projects, flowers, animals, people, my home, myself…I could probably have a full time job just fretting, if I wanted it.
And, at the same time, I can feel this pent up energy within me that is asking for a release. I think my body is asking me to move! How simple is that? Not necessarily moving to accomplish a project or task, but just simply moving to incorporate movement - walking, a form of exercise…or maybe it is just getting started on that project I’m concerned about.
Interestingly enough, brain research supports this concept that the dogs already know. Movement regulates parts of the brain. When faced with anxiety, rhythmic movement can help the brain to settle down, so to speak.
I needed a researcher to discover the complexities of the brain before I could make sense of that, but the dogs - they just listen to their bodies, and respond.
Maybe thats why walking AND thinking is so much more calming to me than just thinking. And, perhaps today is a good day for a walk with one of our dogs…movement (walking) and relationship (time with one of the dogs) seems like a winning combination.