Walking

/wɔːk/

WALKING THROUGH PARIS DURING THE HEAT WAVE OF SUMMER 2022

I found myself walking around Paris two summers ago, at the height of a heat wave, catching up with a local friend and his dog for almost a week straight.

We discovered that continuous movement helped us find clarity regarding the swirl of emotions we were carrying around at that time. It seemed to calm our inner turmoils in a unique way.

It's as if the strained system unwinds through rhythmic activity, releasing pent-up energy, confusion, and paralyzing feelings. Walking loosened up the questions we had been carrying around and revealed answers that had seemed stuck below the surface for a while.

Walking turned out to be a simple yet powerful solution to de-freeze - a practice embraced by countless artists, philosophers, and thinkers for centuries: The English poet William Wordsworth, renowned for his profound connection to nature, is said to have walked approximately 180,000 miles in his lifetime. His long walks through the picturesque landscapes of the Lake District often inspired his poetry, allowing him to compose verses as he strolled. Wordsworth believed that nature breathed the spirit of poetic inspiration, famously stating,

"How sweet it is, when mother Fancy rocks the wayward brain, to saunter through a wood!"

American writer and philosopher Henry David Thoreau was an advocate for the benefits of walking in nature. His essay "Walking" extolled the virtues of this practice, stating:

"I think that I cannot preserve my health and spirits unless I spend four hours a day at least—and it is commonly more than that—sauntering through the woods and over the hills and fields, absolutely free from all worldly engagements."

The renowned naturalist Charles Darwin incorporated daily walks into his routine as part of his "thinking path." He created a gravel track called the "sandwalk" on his property, which he would stroll along while contemplating his theories.

These historical figures intuitively understood what modern science now confirms: walking fosters enhancing cognitive function and reduces the risk of mental decline. The rhythmic, bilateral movement of walking stimulates multiple areas of the brain, promoting neuroplasticity and potentially even generating new brain cells.

It's not about a timed heavy workout but rather about getting lost in perpetual steps forward that remind our body we are alive. We're continuously in motion, down to our self-organizing, efficient cells that are always changing. Every step takes us to a place we haven't been before.

Although I seem to have a natural drive for running, having tackled a few marathons, there is a very different quality to walking. While breaking a sweat with a run often relieves tension and is worth the occasional flow sensation of the proclaimed "runner's high," it doesn't seem to shake up lingering insights the way walking does.

The act of walking seems to initiate a unique cognitive process. As we move, our brain enters a state of “active rest,” where it's engaged but not overly focused. This state allows for increased blood flow to the brain and the release of neurotransmitters like endorphins and serotonin. These chemical changes, combined with the rhythmic physical movement, help to “unstick our thoughts”. It's as if the physical act of moving forward encourages our mind to do the same, breaking through mental barriers and frozen states.

In a deeper sense, I've discovered that walking can powerfully loosen up a frozen state, and help me maneuver out of even the most twisted clusterfucks. At times, it has pulled me out of the darkest corners of depression, guiding me into the next moment, and then the next with that one next step. This has been a little life-saver move, when I've barely known if I could get through the day with my anxieties and complex inner storms, that I’m learning to embrace as part of me—a process usually most successful on any kind of walk.

I've walked myself through several new life stages: when moving to a new country, processing the end of a job or relationship, or when generally recalibrating. Solutions continue to reliably surface step by step as I currently walk through the vast woods I'm lucky to live beside at the moment.

Each step not only moves me physically but also seems to reduce stress and anxiety. The natural settings I walk through, whether city parks or vast woods, further enhance this effect, as exposure to nature has shown to lower cortisol levels and blood pressure.

The Norwegian adventurer Erling Kagge, who completed a solo expedition to the South Pole, covering the 814-mile route in 50 days with no radio contact, dedicated a book, “Walking, One Step at a Time,” to this natural movement, and has stated:

“After having put my shoes on and let my thoughts wander, I am sure of one thing – to put one foot in front of the other is one of the most important things we do.”

I grew up witnessing my dad who is a pianist walk everywhere. He would walk miles across the city, replacing stops along an entire subway line, claiming he found inspiration, musical solutions, and solace. To him, the quality of ideas that emerge when walking seems deeper than when sitting still . This resonates with influential German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche's remark:

"Only ideas won by walking have any value."

I've discovered walking as a means of moving throughout the day as well as following a planned route, often leading me to inspiring places when I lose my way. And while I have a well-deserved reputation for lacking a sense of direction, I know more places than those who take a bee-line. As a therapist I worked with once remarked:

"Detours expand our knowledge."

I've been deeply inspired by the wisdom of my uncle and great-uncle, who lived to 94 and 104, respectively. Both habitually walked every day and proclaimed it an integral way to age well. They remained remarkably relaxed, present, and free from considerable illness well into their advanced years. Their example serves as a powerful testament to the long-term benefits of regular walking.

The simple act of putting one foot in front of the other offers a powerful tool for navigating life's complexities. Whether you're seeking creative inspiration, mental clarity, emotional balance, or physical well-being, walking provides a accessible and effective solution.

So, the next time you're feeling stuck, internally twisted, or struggling to find creative solutions, lace up your shoes and start walking. You might be surprised at the clarity you find along the way.

Quick recap: Key benefits of walking

Mental Clarity: Helps untangle complex thoughts and emotions
Stress Reduction: Triggers release of endorphins, lowering stress levels
Creativity Boost: Stimulates innovative thinking and problem-solving
Physical Health: Improves cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles and bones
Emotional Balance: Aids in managing anxiety and depression
Cognitive Function: Enhances brain plasticity and reduces risk of mental decline
Longevity: Associated with healthy aging and maintaining vitality