Need to solve a problem? Take a walk

Whenever I’m not feeling in a state of flow or if I’m lacking clarity, I walk to the end of the block, around the block or on a 2mile loop through my neighborhood. Think about doing this: Breathe through your nose, breathe down into the bottom of your “thermometer bulb”, relax your back and allow your breath to expand into all the nooks and crannies of your “safety airbag”. Your abdominals will be supporting you as you belly breathe: they cycle through contracting in a shortening fashion as you exhale with gusto and then contract in a lengthening fashion to allow your diaphragm to fully contract. You can focus on the sounds of the birds, the shapes of the tree tops or you can mentally repeat a mantra such as “I am powerful, I am peaceful”. When you move your body in a rhythmic manner and you DON’T think about your problem, your brain can relax which allows the answers to appear. Trying hard rarely works!

I liked Dr Hyman’s citation because it offered scientific evidence for what I experience several times a week. You can learn more about him and his research references here:

https://drhyman.com/blogs/content/the-simple-way-to-double-your-daily-steps

1. Jayedi A, Gohari A, Shab-Bidar S. Daily Step Count and All-Cause Mortality: A Dose-Response Meta-analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies. Sports Med. 2022 Jan;52(1):89–99.

2. Crum AJ, Langer EJ. Mind-set matters: exercise and the placebo effect. Psychol Sci. 2007 Feb;18(2):165–71.

3.DiPietro L, Gribok A, Stevens MS, Hamm LF, Rumpler W. Three 15-min bouts of moderate postmeal walking significantly improves 24-h glycemic control in older people at risk for impaired glucose tolerance. Diabetes Care. 2013 Oct;36(10):3262–8.