Turns Out the Walk Is Good for You
For many of us – especially before the outbreak of the pandemic – walking was a means to an end, an easy way to get to a planned destination. However, since the outbreak of COVID, more and more people have been walking in their neighborhoods or trails simply for the sake of their physical or mental health.
But even if you’re walking aimlessly, you’re probably checking your phone or thinking about what’s for dinner, or listening to a podcast, or doing something else to distract yourself from the actual walk.
Instead, try flayering, the art of leisurely wandering . Walking (especially in an unfamiliar place) with the “purpose” of simply paying attention to your surroundings can have a calming effect and possibly enhance your feelings of happiness and well-being.
Goal wandering is also used as a practice of mindfulness . It is a technique taught in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programs that encourage “choiceless mindfulness,” or openness to what is happening in front of you. Rather than focusing on a particular movement or activity, aimless wandering encourages you to notice your surroundings, move towards those things, observe and appreciate them.
While the overall experience is unstructured, there are several ways to maximize your wandering. Here’s what you need to know before you travel.
- Leave your phone at home (or put it out of reach in your bag) to avoid distractions.
- Find a safe place to relax while walking . It is probably best to avoid wandering aimlessly through busy intersections. Likewise, consider whether you need to keep a close eye on your surroundings and tell someone where you are going.
- Dress comfortably and according to the weather . It’s hard to accept aimless wandering when you’re cold or your legs hurt.
- Make it a game . Erica Owen, author of The Art of Flaneuring , thinks it might be a good idea to add tiny structure to your wanderings. For example, plan to turn around when you see a car of a certain color.
- Get off autopilot . In consciousness with no choice, you move towards whatever catches your eye, not your destination. You can also try to match the pace of your breathing with your steps, or take very slow steps to notice how each part of your foot touches the ground.
As winter approaches, you can also incorporate flanering into your freelancing (outdoor life) practices .