Walking is the best exercise. It is the exercise our bodies are adapted to do, so I am happy to see so many people out walking on beautiful days. However, I think that most of them are missing one of the other keys that makes walking the best exercise: being a part of nature.
I see people with a very determined set to their faces, listening to I-pods, and striding briskly along, looking straight ahead with a somewhat blank gaze. Others are so engrossed in conversation with their fellow walkers that they could be walking on a treadmill for all the notice they take of their environment. Then there are the dog walkers. One might think that they would be paying more attention to the environment since their dog certainly is. But that does not appear to be the case.
Now, if you are mall-walking, conversation and I-pods do make the activity more enjoyable. But if you are outside, going as fast as you can from point A to point B causes you to miss out on the additional rejuvenating aspect of walking. It isn’t just about the physical exercise, but also the emotional well being that being a part of nature can bring to your psyche.
When I was a child and visited my grandmother, we went on lots of walks. Grandma never seemed in a hurry to get anywhere. She would point out the beautiful flowers, the interesting architecture. She would stop to chat with friends, or even strangers. It was she who first told me to take time to smell the flowers. And we actually would stop to smell them.
So, yes, we do need the exercise, but sometimes we also need to slow down because life is moving too fast. Next time you take a walk outdoors, do so without any distractions and take the time to really look around you. Notice the beauty, feel the peace, and feel a little groovy.
I see people with a very determined set to their faces, listening to I-pods, and striding briskly along, looking straight ahead with a somewhat blank gaze. Others are so engrossed in conversation with their fellow walkers that they could be walking on a treadmill for all the notice they take of their environment. Then there are the dog walkers. One might think that they would be paying more attention to the environment since their dog certainly is. But that does not appear to be the case.
Now, if you are mall-walking, conversation and I-pods do make the activity more enjoyable. But if you are outside, going as fast as you can from point A to point B causes you to miss out on the additional rejuvenating aspect of walking. It isn’t just about the physical exercise, but also the emotional well being that being a part of nature can bring to your psyche.
When I was a child and visited my grandmother, we went on lots of walks. Grandma never seemed in a hurry to get anywhere. She would point out the beautiful flowers, the interesting architecture. She would stop to chat with friends, or even strangers. It was she who first told me to take time to smell the flowers. And we actually would stop to smell them.
So, yes, we do need the exercise, but sometimes we also need to slow down because life is moving too fast. Next time you take a walk outdoors, do so without any distractions and take the time to really look around you. Notice the beauty, feel the peace, and feel a little groovy.
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