What do you do to refresh your mind when you are stressed out?

I was too stressed out these days, yet I felt so happy as I was finally untethered from the military service obligation which had weighed on me so heavily for a long time until the date of my discharge - 28 FEB 2020.
The new semester that started in March, plans to take pictures to sell, studying English, concerns about my future with thinking that I'd spent quite a lot of unwanted time in the army, and above all, family conflicts were significant sources of stress.
I couldn't get down to work. Even watching funny videos on Youtube in order to be free from stress was unhelpful. But only my heart wanted to throw everything away and rest.
I was mentally knackered.

 

I recalled some Youtube videos about health which I had seen before. According to the videos "just walking" would be great for stress. The weather was perfect just then; there was no reason to dwell on the stress as I'm confined to my room all day long.

 

I changed my clothes, wore a mask, and headed out with my bike.

 

My lovely electric bike.

I usually go to the park with it.

 

 

I headed for 서서울호수공원(Seo-Seoul-Hosu-Gongwon park). Because it's the nearest and best park around my neighbourhood in which I made good memories with my family - it's also the park my dogs love the most.

 

The park is pretty neat and beautiful. You can see many people relishing the atmosphere and spending time in the park peacefully.
My family and I used to "power walk" together along the walking trail, play badminton, and walk with our lovely dogs: Hwany(meaning "Joy" in Korean) and Byeori(meaning "star" in Korean). 

Swipe right

 

Bicycle parking.

made with abandoned materials.

 

 

In the past, the park was a water purifying plant. But the Yangcheon district council wanted to revitalise the area by developing the plant site. After due consideration about its future usage, Seoul decided to develop it into a recycling theme park.

 

In 2009 - 50 years after it was constructed, it was transformed into the current park. As such, you can see many remains of the plant recycled for the park's structure.

 

Regeneration Garden (swipe right)

Playground

 

 

I like that tree (swipe right)

You can join others for a basketball game

 

As you walk along the trail in the park, you'll get to approach the lake. It's not huge but has nice scenery, stair-like public square, and fountains where you can enjoy a relaxing time and bask in the sun.

 

More than that, the fountains are quite fun. There's a reason. The park is under the airway and near Gimpo International airport so the noise of an airplane is quite loud - over 81db. When they fly overhead, the fountains squirt water up and the show starts.

 

Such a brilliant idea it is to soothe people's frustration in hearing the loud airplanes! In addition, it matches up well with the park's theme - "water" and "regeneration."

 

 

The park has a garden which is called "Mondrian garden." It harmonises with straight lines that are the quintessence of the abstract painter Mondrian's technique.

 

It was constructed with the recycled remains of the water purification plant, so it feels as if you are in an adventurous maze or a mysterious garden because of its unique appearances.

Swipe right

 

 

After a long walk in the park, I wanted to have a seat. Just then, I was on the pedestrian flyover which has long benches along the path and overlooks the lake. Because it has a great view, people like it.

 

I like it of course. Additionally, there are good poems along the protection guardrails so you can enjoy a lyrical moment at the same time.

 

Benches

I'm fond of taking a moment on the bench to think.

 

 

While walking, thinking on a bench in the sunlight, and getting some crisp air; my mood was lifted. Although it's not something big, I could feel better just by walking in the park. Obviously there's no need to talk about the effect of warm and bright sunlight, its positive effects are universally acknowledged.

 

Here are the benefits you can get, by walking.  ◀ Reference!

• Maintain a healthy weight.
  
• Prevent heart disease and high blood pressure including various conditions.
• Strengthen your bones and muscles.
• Improve your mood
• Improve your balance and coordination.

It was a good opportunity to refresh my mind and especially to recall good memories I made with my precious people. Even though the time I spent there was short, it was sufficient enough to free me from stress and anxiety. Thank God I have this lovely park near my neighbourhood.

 

What about you? Do you have any good park near your place? If so, let me know and share it down below.

 

HOW TO GET THERE

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WORDS BY

Minsu Kim - koreaonthescreen@gmail.com

PHOTOS BY

Minsu Kim - koreaonthescreen@gmail.com

PROOFREAD BY

Gabriela Enriquez

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