How the Italian Tradition of Passeggiata Changed My Evenings
Recently, my husband and I started taking walks around the neighborhood together, either before or right after dinner. Sometimes we stop to drink iced tea or buy something at the local market. We look into local store windows and stroll through our favorite neighborhood gardens to see what’s blooming. When our dog is with us, we often stop to chat with other dog lovers.
I thought we were just going outside for some fresh air and exercise, but it turns out we were also participating in the legendary Italian tradition known as “la passeggiata,” from the verb passeggiare (to walk). This term describes a nighttime walk through the town square and is worth incorporating into your daily routine, even if you don’t have much of a town square to walk through. Here’s how it changed my evenings for the better.
How la passeggiata improved my nightly routine
Before I knew that this practice had a fancy Italian name, I had already begun to realize the benefits of regular evening walks from home. Oddly enough, after finishing the passeggiata I noticed that my mood improved. Getting outside for a while helps me relieve the stress of the workday and gives my husband and I a chance to talk without the distractions of household responsibilities and screens. I felt less tired, less worried about what I was going to make for dinner, and more excited and energized. My husband also seems calmer and less stressed. Even our dog goes into the evening with less nervous energy.
Of course, there is always something to be said about the benefits of physical and mental exercise for physical and mental health , but la passeggiata is more than just doing some steps.
Time to socialize, not just exercise
The point of la passeggiata is not just about getting your daily dose of exercise, although that is certainly important. Rather, it’s about taking time to enjoy the quiet of your mind (if you’re walking alone) and connecting with others (if you’re walking with a partner or a group). This isn’t a quick walk to get your heart rate up, but rather some sightseeing and maybe stopping to enjoy a drink.
Thanks to our new evening routine, we now know that the local pizza place has a special on Mondays and that the rescue dog down the street is enjoying a good wrestling match with our enthusiastic wrestler. We found new spots in the neighborhood, like a schoolyard that doubles as a sort of fenced-in dog park after hours, and found that we lived near some of our coworkers that we ran into from time to time. This has made us feel much more connected to our community.
Enjoy the little moments
When you’re overwhelmed with stress, it can be difficult to stop and enjoy small moments of joy and satisfaction. My habit of evening walks allowed me to enjoy the small joys of blooming flowers, wagging tails and summer breezes. Instead of counting down the days until a vacation or some other big event so I could finally relax and have fun, absorbing these daily glimpses allowed me to be more focused on the present moment and aware of the small pleasures offered by the world around me.
Step away from screens
By turning our walks into a time of exploration, discovery, and connection, it became easier not only to put our phones away, but also to forget about them for a while, eliminating the need to refresh our feeds and check our messages. It’s a refreshing break from a day spent with screens in front of us or in our minds when they’re not there. According to the Mayo Clinic , reducing screen time, like exercise, can improve overall health, both physical and emotional; I have definitely noticed some improvements in my mood as well as my digestion.
Don’t discount the health benefits
Since we started going out in the evenings, I have noticed that I sleep better and feel more rested. According to research from the National Institutes of Health , walking immediately after dinner can help control blood glucose levels. It may also reduce the risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure, and improve bone density . So while La passeggiata is all about connecting and having fun, you also can’t discount the benefits it brings to your health.