When was the last time you took a long walk to nowhere?
When was the last time you truly roamed without an agenda, letting your feet and mind wander off?
I’m not talking about powering through your requisite 20 minutes on the treadmill so you can check exercising off your to-do list, I’m talking about taking time out of your day to move your feet, clear your head, and get lost in yourself.
Americans are walking less than ever, as airport fill with people movers and walkways become freeways. We’ve disconnected so much from the primal need to walk, that organizations like America Walks have had to intervene on our behalf to advocate for safe, pedestrian-friendly communities.
We all know the physical benefits of walking, but many people don’t understand the important mental aspects of the act. According to the Arthritis Foundation walking slows mental decline, can help prevent Alzheimer’s disease, improves sleep, and lightens mood. Why?
Because walking is a form of meditation.
Walking is so important to clearing your mind, that many meditation-based religions consider it a scarament. Followers of Teof the Japanese Budhist Sennichi Kaihogyo often walk thousands of miles up and around a mountain just to reach a form of enlightenment.
Ok, that might be a bit much to fit in on your lunch break, but simply incorporating a light meandering stroll into your daily routine can bring clarity, happiness, and mental focus to your life.
The problem is, most of us are running from one thing to another and feel we don’t have time for a stroll. We’ve gotten to a point where meandering is read as laziness and laziness is read as the ultimate sin. We love wandering through the woods, long walks on the beach, and leisurely exploring favorite parts of a city, but we reserve these decadences for holidays or vacations, seeing them as something we have to earn.
You deserve the decadence of a daily walk. You deserve time out and away from your problems.
I could quote you 100 studies right now, all about the importance of taking time off. You’ve probably read six this week alone from your Facebook feed. You know it’s important to move your body, you know it’s important to take time off for your mind, we know the healing power of nature and fresh air.
Try these tips for incorporating more walking into your life:
1. Pick your favorite time of the day.
I love dawn and dusk, so I try to take a walk outside at the beginning and end of my work days. Maybe you’re more of a bright sunny noontime kind of person. Pick whichever part of the day makes you happiest, and stroll then. Or, conversely, pick when you tend to be the most tense and/or stressed. Walks are an amazing stress reliever.
2. Take the pressure off.
This isn’t boot camp. Your goal is not to burn calories. Instead, set the goal of breathing fresh air, increasing circulation in your body, gaining mental clarity, having fun, and/or seeing new sites.
3. The walking meeting.
If walking and talking is good enough for Steve Jobs (or anyone in an Aaron Sorkin show), it’s good enough for me. Check out this NPR piece for tips on how to incorporate it into your work life.
4. Walk with a buddy.
Walking with a buddy not only helps you stay accountable for taking this important time out of your day, but it also bonds two people together, enabling them to engage in conversations they may not otherwise have. Entrepreneurs Barry and Marla Beck, who together run a multi-million dollar company, say it’s the key to both their personal and professional success. Think of your daily walk as a mini-therapy session, where you and your partner or friend take turns letting go of the tension within you.
5. Find a bike path.
Bike paths are often clearly marked, smooth services, away from cars and perfect for walking. However, not all bike paths are pedestrian friendly, so make sure you find one that is. Most bike shops will have maps of local bike paths that will say if they’re also open to walkers.
Additional resources.
Want to make your community more walkable? Want to find walks near you? America Walks has a great list of domestic and international resources.
How do you incorporate walking into your day?
