A little walk can take us miles

It’s simple. Easy. And according to this article in the Harvard Business Review (not commonly thought of as a health magazine), one of the most “strategic” things you can do for yourself.

So what’s the big deal?

According to the Centers for Disease Control, moderate-to-vigorous activity (including walking) can improve a person’s health and well-being. Both the physical and the mental.

I’m on yet another health kick. Trying to lose some weight to make traveling and living life that much easier. And for the past six decades, I’ve hated working out.

So I’m going to walk.

It helps that I love to be outside. I enjoy the out-of-doors. While some guys enjoy playing sports – even older-guy sports like golf and pickleball – my “sport” of choice is canoeing, camping, and backpacking. I just don’t do it very often because to do it well, you’ve got to be prepared.

It’s kind of a Boy Scout thing. I know. But trust me on this, nothing is more of a pain in the ass than realizing you didn’t have a contingency plan for a sudden thunderstorm when you’re stuck on an island in the middle of a lake.

So if lofting a 75-pound canoe over my head and hiking over some hills from lake-to-lake isn’t possible three times a week, the next best thing (I suppose) is making sure I’m getting in 7,500 – 10,000 steps a day. Some days I do well. Other times, work catches up to me and holds me down.

But there’s always tomorrow. And there are plenty of open trails to walk – no matter how cold or windy or wet. It’s just an hour of time spent clearing my head, enjoying the fresh air, and feeling good.

That “feeling good” part … it’s legit.

According to Dr. Jo Barton, Senior Lecturer of the School of Sport, Rehabilitation, and Exercise Sciences at the University of Essex:

“exposure to nature helps us switch from voluntary attention, which draws on our reserves of focus and energy, to involuntary attention, which requires less focus and energy. This allows us to recover from mental fatigue.”

(h/t to the Harvard Business Review … and Journal of Healthy Living – I added the second part. :D)

Okay, so it wouldn’t be an HBR article without bullet points. And this article is not any different. Because who doesn’t want to know how to walk with a purpose (seriously)? For those in the cheap seats, here’s a quick summary …

1. Walk for perspective. Use your time outside to connect with the larger universe and the beauty of nature.
2. Walk for connection. Spend your time on the trail with someone you care about and enjoy the shared experience.
3. Walk for learning. Listen to a podcast or audiobook and learn something while you get your steps in.
4. Walk for gratitude. Think about how lucky you are to be doing what you’re doing right then and there. Live in the present.
5. Walk for productivity. Learn how to dictate while you’re walking and capture all those great ideas you have when you’re miles from the office on the open trail.

And as far as I’m concerned … I’m walking for me. Because I like it, and it makes me feel good.

Now if you don’t mind, I’ve got to head out. I’ll be back in about an hour.