Tune out the noise and tune in to the wonders around you
Walking for awareness
Mindful walking involves turning off our busy minds and the distracted ‘auto pilot’ approach, and instead tuning into our five senses (sight, sound, touch, smell and taste) with a greater awareness of every step we take.
The power of discovery
When we lift our thoughts from our worries, we discover things we might have otherwise missed. Discovery can be as simple as reflecting on the change in the seasons, the way light filters through the trees, or hearing a bird call beneath the rumble of traffic. It all contributes to a greater appreciation of our lives and opens us up to everything around us. Jarrod Legget champions the potential for discovery through walking:
There is no better activity to discover and connect with your local surroundings and community than walking,’ he said. ‘It’s how I discovered my favourite cafes, parks, gardens, and neighbours.
Jarrod Legget, Heart Foundation Walking’s Senior Individual Walking Officer
Change of scenery
Exposure to nature can have a profound impact on our well-being. The benefits of getting into nature are astounding. Multiple studies [1] have shown that walking in nature can improve mental health by reducing depression and anxiety. According to Professor Thomas Astell-Burt, a recipient of the Heart Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship, spending time in green spaces not only enhances mental health but also reduces loneliness, improves sleep, and even lowers blood pressure. Recent research from Professor Astell-Burt's lab has shown people who spend more time under the canopy of trees have fewer hospital admissions for cardiovascular issues [2].
If you're fortunate enough to be near water, you can also take advantage of the mental health benefits that spending time near water can bring [3]. Engaging with nature fosters a connection to something beyond ourselves, helping us to feel rejuvenated.
Stimulate creativity
Taking a walk can also stimulate creative thinking. When you’re walking, your mind is free to wander, allowing you to think creatively and come up with new ideas or solutions to problems.
Results from a recent study demonstrated that walking increased creativity, not simply due to the increased stimulation of moving through an environment, but rather the action of walking itself. Active imaginations might begin with active lives!
So keep to your plan and try to be mindful when you’re walking. A solution to a problem or your next great idea may be only a walk away!
References
- Grassini S. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Nature Walk as an Intervention for Anxiety and Depression. J Clin Med. 2022;11(6):1731. Published 2022 Mar 21. doi:10.3390/jcm11061731
- Feng X, Navakatikyan M, Eckermann S, Astell-Burt T. Show me the money! Associations between tree canopy and hospital costs in cities for cardiovascular disease events in a longitudinal cohort study of 110,134 participants. Environ Int. 2024;185:108558. doi:10.1016/j.envint.2024.108558
- Easkey Britton, Gesche Kindermann, Christine Domegan, Caitriona Carlin, Blue care: a systematic review of blue space interventions for health and wellbeing, Health Promotion International, Volume 35, Issue 1, February 2020, Pages 50–69, https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/day103
