Take A Walk

The Daily Stoic for June 21st. “Take A Walk”.

“We should take wandering outdoor walks, so that the mind might be nourished and refreshed by the open air and deep breathing.”
—SENECA, ON TRANQUILITY OF MIND, 17.8

I cannot agree more with today’s stoic excerpt. Taking walks is something that always relaxes me. When I am overwhelmed, stressed out or just feeling lost, a walk helps me breathe and allows my mind to calm down a bit.

I would go as far as to affirm that it has healing properties in me. Some time ago, back in Spain, I suffered frequent stomachaches during the time when I was not happy with my life, feeling miserable and trapped at my job. Just before I quit. Taking a long walk late on evenings made my pain go away and truly made me feel better.

Take A Walk

A serious study affirms that taking a walk through a natural environment is indeed quite good for us. The study explicitly mentions how walks are much better for our bodies and minds in more natural places -i.e: forest, park, valley…- as opposed to urban landscapes.

Taking walks also helps my mind calm down and start thinking creatively again. When my mind is stuffed with responsibilities, work, problems… taking a walk allows my brain to stretch out and leaves some rest for different kind of thoughts. Sometimes, even a solution to a problem I won’t be able to catch in between the crowd of busy thoughts and feelings, reveals itself.

Taking a walk also allows you to empty your mind of all the noise and even serves as a way of meditating.

So my recommendation is: take a walk. When you don’t know what to do. When you feel angry or furious. Or when you don’t understand what’s going on. I cannot think of a situation where this piece of advice does not hold true.

… now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to take a walk. 🙂

Conclusion

I cannot agree more with today’s Daily Stoic, “Take a Walk”. In my case, taking a walk has always been one of the best remedies for stress, angst or just to let my mind relax after a hard day.