Over the past week, I’ve been laid up in bed with the flu and I realised there’s nothing like being ill to make me appreciate good health when I have it.
As I’m writing this, I’ve not long returned from a slow walk around a nearby park, which is the first bit of exercise I’ve managed to do in what feels like the longest time.
In the past year, walking has become something of a pleasure for me, starting as a means to counteract the hours I sit writing or engaged in counselling sessions. It’s also been a great way to think about and incubate ideas that might otherwise drown in everyday busyness.
During my walk today, I was reminded of a joke my mother once told me: “Parents spend the first 12 months teaching their kids to stand up, walk and talk, and the next 15 years getting them to sit down and be quiet.”
Walking is our most natural activity but it has significantly declined as life became increasingly sedentary. In the time of hunter-gatherers (up until 12,000 years ago), humans would take an average of between 10,000 and 15,000 steps a day. Now, the average is between 3,000 and 5,000.
As a pastime, daily walks have been the staple of some of history’s greatest minds including Albert Einstein, who would walk almost 2.5km every day during his years at Princeton University in the United States. The German composer Ludwig van Beethoven took long afternoon walks as a therapeutic means to clear his mind and fuel inspiration for his works, while English author Virginia Woolf would refine her drafts during daily walks.
Especially in our modern age, when so much living is done from the neck up (as we think, plan and analyse), it’s easy to forget the importance of spending time outside enjoying nature and the fresh air.
Of course, many of our mornings are spent preparing for work and all that entails, whether it be getting the family ready or readying ourselves for yet another long commute to the office.
And yet, as far as boosting mental and overall health goes, having a bit more time to spend outside is one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways to improve our well-being. Walking can help increase energy and reduce fatigue, strengthening the heart and reducing stiffness in our joints. We can also expect to benefit from increased mental alertness and a better memory, as well as improvements in creativity and problem-solving.
For me, spending time outside serves as a reminder that we’re not meant to be “doing” all the time, and that much of our stress comes from the constant expectation (from ourselves or others) to be “on and available”.
It’s also a great way to gain some perspective and appreciation for the life that goes on around us. As I watch joggers stride past me, spot couples talking together, and see families engaged in activities, it all serves as a reminder to be intentional about engaging in life beyond the hectic busyness of our work lives and commitments.
As my local minister back home in Scotland is fond of saying, “You have to protect some of your time for yourself and loved ones, or else someone will always make use of it”.
Mostly, I enjoy walking because it encourages me to be a bit more present with myself and tap into a bit of gratitude for having the fortune to enjoy the simple pleasures that life has to offer.
Sometimes, I’ll stop and look at the trees that have been around longer than I have (and might remain long after I’m gone). It helps to remind me that the time I have in relatively good health is a privilege, which is a fact I can easily lose sight of when I’m caught up in everything else.
Recently, some friends have been encouraging me to take a step further and go hiking so that I might “enjoy stunning views of the sunrise”. I remind them that roads were created for good reason, and I can see stunning sunrises at any time, from Canada to Australia, thanks to Google Images.
Who knows, though, perhaps an inaugural hike might be a New Year’s resolution of mine, especially as I hail from a country that hosts stunning mountains, peaks and hills.
That said, I prefer to think the good Lord intended Scotland’s scenery to be admired from afar for its natural beauty rather than interrupted by the clumsy feet of nosy wanderers.
I’m grateful to be on the mend and able to enjoy nature on my doorstep here in Malaysia. I hope that many of you are able to enjoy walks in parks or hikes up hills, whether it be a solo adventure or with friends.
Especially at this time of year, when the holiday season can have its busy moments, it’s good to slow down once in a while. As the yearend approaches, I hope you all enjoy some restful time in whatever form brings you the greatest sense of contentment.
Sunny Side Up columnist Sandy Clarke has long held an interest in emotions, mental health, mindfulness and meditation. He believes the more we understand ourselves and each other, the better societies we can create. If you have any questions or comments, email lifestyle@thestar.com.my. The views expressed here are entirely the writer's own.
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