mental coping strategies on bushwalks

[wayno]

what mental coping strategies do you have for dealing with the difficulties of bushwalking to keep you going?

i was reading a printed article about the subject
can't say i have any particularly profound strategies,

pain and fatigue are temporary....

focus on the scenery

think about how far you have come.

break down the trip into smaller objectives and focus on achieving those objectives one at a time

I've done it before, I can do it again...

experience helps, it gives me an idea that things arent likely to get so bad that i won't be able to cope. (I've

had it much worse before and coped)

day dream about anything other than what is happening now to distract me from being in an uncomfortable situation

talk to myself or whoever is with me

laugh in the face of discomfort

having music to listen to

focus on the sense of achievement of coping with the difficulties.

just keep putting one foot in front of the other....

[neilmny]

All of those Wayno but the favourite is ....just keep putting one foot in front of the other

[Tortoise]

All of those Wayno but the favourite is ....just keep putting one foot in front of the other

Reckon that'd be mine too. I learnt it years ago walking to Annapurna Sanctuary with severe diarrhoea and significant vomiting. I couldn't manage to eat anything much more than broth most of the way up.

Someone gave me the advice: 'it doesn't matter how slow you go, as long as you keep putting one foot in front of the other' (well, except to dive off into the bushes as necessary). I remember being so exhausted I took to resting my eyelids now and then while walking, perhaps a little foolishly in the circumstances. But I got there.

I also find getting into a rhythm really helps, sometimes counting steps toward say 500 at a time - maybe because it's a concrete reminder that every step is one step closer to my goal. Works much better than what I did when I was young, which was more along the lines of: 'I can have a rest in 40 minutes'.

[walkerchris77]

Take a break, have a brew.

[north-north-west]

All of those Wayno but the favourite is ....just keep putting one foot in front of the other

. . . until I drop.

[ErichFromm]

Great topic. Often I think it's only me that struggles. I have a 1 year old (Ethan). So if I'm struggling "Come on old man - what will Ethan think?"

If I don't think at least once "why do you do this?" during a hike I know it's too easy...

[RonK]

Pick a visible point and walk to it before pausing to rest. At high altitude this was often no more than 30 paces away.

On steep terrain find a easy rhythm that allows an almost impercepible pause during each stride.

[wayno]

actually what i learnt the hard way when i started bushwalking, coming from a competitive running background, i used to give all my exercise 100% effort. but with bushwalking, to go the distance the answer is often slow down and pace yourself so you have more in reserve to call on through the hours and days on the go.
you could say its a physical coping mechanism... but it can also affect your mental state... dont just think about the destination and propel yourself there as fast as possible... just relax more, dont worry too much about the pace and you'll get there in better shape and enjoy the trip more than you might going faster.

[walkon]

Generally i don't have a problem with this, though when I do I just tell myself to 'stop sooking and just do it!' One step more is probably a subconscious mantra, also I'd have to say it's the best name in this forum!

[Lindsay]

Tell myself that the only way out is to keep going, then just put one foot in front of the other.

[perfectlydark]

Yep while I dont do as many adventurous walks as a lot of you here for me its focus on a point up the track. No rest till you get there..I then usually try to push on a bit further.once getting there depending on state of legs

[DanShell]

Everyone has their own reasons for bush walking and whilst I understand the end of a walk at times starts to drag on and the thought of jumping into the car and heading home can be appealing, I have to questions those that need to play the mental game too early into a walk......why do it if your not enjoying it?

But to answer the question, for me it's easy. The harder a walk is, or the worse the weather gets, the more appealing the walk becomes for me! I may be a bit odd and whilst at times I may think what am I doing out here in this, deep down it's the adversity that drives me. That's what makes the best memories.
Sure the scenery is a bonus but it's not my main motivation.

So my mental coping strategy is yeeee haaaaa the more epic a walk becomes the better

[perfectlydark]

Personally coping isnt due to 'not enjoying it' but is usually leg/knee related pains. Normally doesnt strike until about 3 hours in or so but can make any uphills or downhills quite unpleasant when having to stop every few hundred metres.
That said despite it all I love it and always think back on the hard times fondly

[juxtaposer]

"Slog on, just slog on"- Bill Wilson to Titus Oates.

[DanShell]

Personally coping isnt due to 'not enjoying it' but is usually leg/knee related pains. Normally doesnt strike until about 3 hours in or so but can make any uphills or downhills quite unpleasant when having to stop every few hundred metres.
That said despite it all I love it and always think back on the hard times fondly

I'm hearing you, I usually last a good day or two before my knees are screaming....anti inflammatories are my friend

[perfectlydark]

yes I really should consider that stuff

[geoskid]

The only thing I have to mentally cope with on bushwalks is the bickering between my boys.
I only just got them sorted with being OK with Mum being/not being there, and the oldest one goes and becomes inflicted with hormones. Uh -huh, that can turn a pleasant 3-dayer into where is the best place for a shallow grave.
Luckily, I'm a pretty relaxed sort of window licker.

A bit of exaggeration perhaps, but not required.

[neilmny]

Everyone has their own reasons for bush walking and whilst I understand the end of a walk at times starts to drag on and the thought of jumping into the car and heading home can be appealing, I have to questions those that need to play the mental game too early into a walk......why do it if your not enjoying it?...............

I think Wayno's OP was about when things go wrong or some sort of physical issue that you have to get through and I agree
why would you bother if you don't enjoy it. I doubt anyone on here doesn't enjoy what we do.
I've never found a walk to drag on but having said that I've found sections of walks such as 4WD tracks to be tedious.
For me coping came in the form of dealing with a tweaked back and an 18kg pack with about 10km to go to the car.
I had stopped for a break and taken my pack off. I was fealing really good but as I stood up from picking my pack up
my back locked up. I couldn't straighten up. So I stood bent over, let the pack drop again and thought #$#%5 what do I
do now. I slowly bent down again and tried to stretch it out. After a short time I was able to very slowly straighten up and assess the
damage. Fortunately it may have been a muscle spasm because I was able get movement again and eventually very slowy
get the pack back on although there was an ominous pain like a corked muscle still there. It took a lot of careful footsteps and
movements to make it back that time and I was glad I had walking poles. They surely made a big difference specially as I had to
rest often. I was able to use them to get up and down off various logs and banks I sat on and of course I didn't take the pack off again
until I reached the car.

Last edited by neilmny on Mon 07 Jul, 2014 4:43 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Dolerite Walker]

The importance of being physically prepared beforehand cannot be understated. Saves a lot of discomfort and wall-hitting. A "She'll be right" attitude is tempting fate. She probably won't be.

The best way to get conditioned for walking up hills with a full pack is....walking up hills with a full pack. There ain't no short cuts here.

Break down any big task into multiple small ones.

Remind yourself that in most situations, things could be worse.

Perseverance.

[LAMEA-Gals]

I find my MP3 helps alot with my headspace on longer, challenging trips - sometimes things are hurting, sometimes I'm getting really tired or sometimes I'm really homesick. On longer trips I have three different strategies
- upbeat music for when I'm feeling really exhausted at the end of the day. In general I don't walk with earphones as I think its unsafe but when I hit the wall on a boring firetrail it gives me a real boost
- download a heap of podcasts before the trip (usually Conversation Hour from ABC radio). Allow myself 1 each night as a pre-bedtime treat.
- a hour guided meditation podcast - again great around the camp or in your tent.

Also recently a friend told me that when she hits the wall physically she will look around and mentally note down 5 amazing things around her - might be a plant, an eroded rock, a beautiful tree etc. Gets her mind off her discomfort.

[Smeagle]

I find my MP3 helps alot with my headspace on longer, challenging trips - sometimes things are hurting, sometimes I'm getting really tired or sometimes I'm really homesick.

Also recently a friend told me that when she hits the wall physically she will look around and mentally note down 5 amazing things around her - might be a plant, an eroded rock, a beautiful tree etc. Gets her mind off her discomfort.

I have to agree with the music side it does work wonders, although i tend to go with audio books rather than podcast..same same i guess...

otherwise i set goals in steps tapping/folding a different finger every so many left steps (clenched fist equals 100 for example) similar to counting beads

orrr reiterating the ol quotes of "pain is your friend, its just weakness leaving the body" which in turn most times i just end up zoning out and push forward...


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[sim1oz]

Great topic. ...If I don't think at least once "why do you do this?" during a hike I know it's too easy...

That made me laugh... I enjoy my 'easy' walks for the peacefulness and the challenging ones - after they are finished - for the sense of achievement in stretching my limits and satisfaction of finishing. I tend to find myself caught up in the wonder of nature when I am doing a less strenuous walk. On the really tough ones I talk myself through putting one foot in front of the other and it becomes quite meditative, but I think I notice (and remember) less details of what I have seen.

I'm going on a 2-3 night packwalk with my 10yo this week - first time without hubby or other kids - so I might need to take wayno's list with me. Having said that, she's a quick walker and not much of a complainer, so as long as I stay in tune with her energy levels and nourishment needs... well, it could all go blissfully and I might have found myself another walking partner

[Ellobuddha]

Great topic. ...If I don't think at least once "why do you do this?" during a hike I know it's too easy...

That made me laugh... I enjoy my 'easy' walks for the peacefulness and the challenging ones - after they are finished - for the sense of achievement in stretching my limits and satisfaction of finishing. I tend to find myself caught up in the wonder of nature when I am doing a less strenuous walk. On the really tough ones I talk myself through putting one foot in front of the other and it becomes quite meditative, but I think I notice (and remember) less details of what I have seen.

I'm going on a 2-3 night packwalk with my 10yo this week - first time without hubby or other kids - so I might need to take wayno's list with me. Having said that, she's a quick walker and not much of a complainer, so as long as I stay in tune with her energy levels and nourishment needs... well, it could all go blissfully and I might have found myself another walking partner

Just walked the Light to light South of Eden on the weekend with my usual crew and one of my mates and his 10year old daughter. It was her first walk and did the 30km overnighter. What a little legend. Only started to not enjoy the last 5 km or so which is pretty uninteresting compared to the rest.

" one in front of the other, one in front of the other" kept her motivated. We told her she had to lead us home for the last 5 km which pumped her up a fair bit.

I think shes hooked. Hope you daughter enjoys it.

[Eljimberino]

Start again.


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[GPSGuided]

Think food, think soft bed, think hot shower, think cold beer...

[GBW]

I let my missus walk in front of me , but we're never in a rush so I just think what a great place this is to be, soak up the view and try to forget about any problems I'm having...mind over matter.

[Travis22]

When I've had enough I subconsciously seem to find myself counting steps. When I forget a number or what I was up to I just start again and keep counting until I'm feeling happy again lol.

Travis.

[perfectlydark]

Think food, think soft bed, think hot shower, think cold beer...

Ha if im having a real tough time I do the exact opposite..otherwise I start to feel even worse

[GPSGuided]

Think food, think soft bed, think hot shower, think cold beer...

Ha if im having a real tough time I do the exact opposite..otherwise I start to feel even worse

Early thinking is only applicable on the return leg obviously.

[north-north-west]

Eating a bit of chocolate always helps, too. There is nothing so bad it cannot be helped by chocolate . . . except being allergic to chocolate . . .