Before lock-down I used to drive to work, leave the car in the nearest car park, at Kelvinbridge, and then walk through the park, along the bank of the Kelvin, then up the hill to the campus. During lock-down I changed department, but also hot-desking and work-from-home became the norm, so I never went back to having that morning walk through the park. That ten minute walk though the park was a time to relax, get a small, but important bit of exercise, and watch birds - several species of tits and finches, wrens with their extraordinary loud songs, blackbirds and thrushes, and an occasional buzzard overhead. One time I also saw a young peregrine sitting on the path eating a pigeon. It was also a time to think about what I'd be doing that day, and get into the right frame of mind to be productive.
A few years on, and I now realise that that ten minute walk through the park was the most important part of my day. Without it I struggle to get into the right mindset to be productive, and just feel depressed all day.
I need to find an alternative - I can see most of the same bird species in the back garden, but there's not much room for walking there. When I do go into work now, I cycle, which gives me exercise, but certainly isn't relaxing, with heavy traffic, insanely narrow cycle lanes, and potholes all building stress. My local park is designed more round sport than relaxation, so isn't an appealing option. There is a nice 'cycle-path' not far away, along the canal, but in winter the fallen leaves make it dangerous, and it is also a 'shared space', so effectively prioritises pedestrians and dog-walkers rather than cyclists, though there are possibly times of the day when it's OK.
I could just put on my outdoor clothes, and go for a walk round the block each morning - it's not such a nice walk, but some of it would be on quiet roads. Maybe I should try that this week, and see if it helps.
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