Walking the Wild Atlantic Way

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IMG_5154

Mullaghderg Beach

“The Wild Atlantic Way” is a tourist initiative offering visitors stunning drives, walks, diving, fishing, bird watching, historical sites, Irish culture and a very warm welcome.

“Walking the Wild Atlantic Way” was one of my first blog posts. I am sharing it again for Self Care September.

In 2010, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and possibly rheumatoid arthritis, a great relief after seven years of poor health. Although I had been a Natural Medicine’s therapist for twenty years, I never had any clients with fibromyalgia or even knew of its existence!

Since the outset of my symptoms, I have been incredibly proactive, using the following healing tools:

  • Diet,
  • Dr Bach Flower Essences,
  • Radionics,
  • Reflexology,
  • Massage,
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy known as CBT,
  • E.F.T. Emotional Freedom Technique,
  • Creative Writing….

Researching fibromyalgia, I learned that exercise is key in healing this debilitating condition.

Thus, I have increased my walking, bit by bit, and I am now a true walking enthusiast!

IMG_1680Cows grazing behind Dooey Beach

My lung function has improved greatly, my sleep pattern is considerably better, I have lost weight and friends tell me “you no longer look grey”!

However, I have learned the hard way about pacing, and not overdoing things. Sometimes my body just needs to rest!

I am very blessed to live and walk in The Rosses, home to some of the finest scenery and best beaches on Planet Earth.

You will find many more posts on the topic of walks. Simply click on “Walks” in my Categories icon. 

Brigid P. Gallagher is a retired natural medicines therapist, passionate organic gardener and author of “Watching the Daisies- Life lessons on the Importance of Slow,” a holistic memoir dedicated to the art of mindfulness and healing from a debilitating illness.

She lives in Donegal, Ireland –  an area of outstanding natural beauty.

 

 

Categories: Donegal - The Coolest Place on the Planet, Self Healing, Walks

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70 Comments »

  8. Sorry to hear you have FM. Sounds like you are approaching it well. I had ME for many years and healed myself through a natural approach, including diet. Most importantly it taught me about balance and how our modern hectic lifestyles eventually take their toll on us. I learned to tune into nature, and follow her cues – eating healthily but also getting plenty of sleep, RnR, and – as you are doing – exercise, but without pushing past my limits. Being proactive in your own health story, as you are, is SO important. Keep up the good work. Thank you for sharing 🙂 Blessings 🙂

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  10. Hi Brigid, My mother and now my daughter have fibromyalgia. My daughter has been using some crystals and aromatherapy and some nutritional things as well. So I am very interested in your experience and what you have learned. So glad you are posting on Senior Salon! Jo

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    • Goodness that is unfortunate. I have found diet changes very helpful but it takes a bit of time to find triggers – a bit of trial and error. I found herbal medicine wonderful but again it took time and I stayed on them for five years. Everyone finds their own Key eventually. I do find exercise really helps but pacing is essential – it is easy to undo progress by doing too much too soon. Sleep is also key to healing – I have written a post on insomnia that they might find helpful. My book which will hopefully be published in November tells the full tale! I enjoy your posts too. Senior Salon has a lovely vibe!

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  11. I can identify with your relief at having a diagnosis and being able to take control with natural treatments. I eventually chose that path too (for a different problem) after allopathic medicine just kept making me sicker and weaker. I am pleased to read of the improvement in your condition. ☺️

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  13. I just discovered your blog which I am now following. My 33-year-old daughter is presently in Ireland on a 2-week vacation visiting the West Coast of Connemarra, etc. which is how I came to find your blog. I am a recent cancer survivor and finding my own way towards healing and recovery. Pace, as you put it, is really important. I am learning to relish the slowness and the silences in my life; they offer me space and time for reflection which is a real gift in our overly busy lives. I look forward to reading you….

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  15. Pingback: What a Life-Changing Illness Taught Me About the Importance of Slowing Down
  16. Pingback: Smorgasbord Health Column – Inspirational Health Stories – Life Lessons on the Importance of Slow by Brigid Gallagher | Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life

  19. Inspiring.. post you are inspiring.

    Today in our daily class it was said that illness can be a blessing, they come to teach us something, they are letting go mechanism. Or tgey distract us from an emotional situation that we cant seem to come out off. I have seen it in action.

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  20. I have also increased my amount of walking and learnt to pace myself. A few times I’ve got a little carried away and paid for it the next day, but I have now learnt to stop when my legs start to get to tingly. 🙂 That;s the sign I need a rest. 🙂 Walking to so wonderful though. So relaxing, and wonderful for us both physically and mentally. I wish I got to see cows on my walks though! 🙂 xxx

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  23. a beautiful re-visit Brigid. walking does wonders for the body and soul, this place you share is very serene and welcoming. I would get a lot of healing from a place like this. I wish you that healing as you navigate your illness, you are brave and so resilient, you always inspire me.

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  24. You hit two important points, that keys to living well; exercise and diet. Michael is a psychologist and I asked him if he ever say patients who had fibromyalgia. He said tons and even long ago when it wasn’t even recognized. He also added, that in his cases many times it would seem to be related to a stressful childhood. Have you heard that before?

    I am so glad you’ve found ways to combat and deal with it. Take care….Terri

    P.S. I am afraid to say that my walking habits come in spurts but then I don’t have gorgeous shorelines to transverse. j

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  27. A great re-share of your post, and an apt reminder about exercise, even if just a little here and there! I try do take a little walk every day but it’s not much and I know I need to build on that to help with my conditions 🙂
    xx

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