I grew up walking. Mostly because my elderly father insisted on it. He believed if you stopped walking and moving, that was the end. He lived to be 91, so maybe he was right.
Walking is by far my favourite form of exercise. I find if I am running, I miss so much. When I walk, I can hear the birds, see the ants forming their lines and going about their business and the shape of the rocks.
There is something about the gentle left, right, left, right, that is soothing. In fact, it activates bilateral stimulation: The rhythmic, side-to-side movement engages both hemispheres of the brain, similar to EMDR therapy, supporting emotional integration.
Walking also soothes the autonomic nervous system, shifting the body from a fight-or-flight response (sympathetic) into relaxation (parasympathetic).
Nietzsche (a philosopher) believed the clarity we gain outdoors far surpasses indoor thinking—and neuroscience agrees. Walking resets your nervous system, lowers cortisol, and quiets racing thoughts, creating space for expansive, clear-minded decisions.
Before you act on impulse or anxiety, pause. Step outdoors. Let the fresh air and rhythmic movement guide you back to yourself.
Walk first, decide later.
Does walking help clear your mind? Let me know in the comments
Love, Jen