I’m a walker. A European style, walked for hours and didn’t realize how long or far I walked type of walker. Both a fast walker and a stroller. A walk and talk walker. A take it in and think walker.
I read an article about the power of walking and it got me thinking because I had the good fortune to walk a lot in my most recent job. Being on a campus with multiple buildings, I had to physically leave not only my office, but I had to walk between buildings to get to others in person. It was part of my job to tour visitors. So, in rain and snow and sun and wind, I walked.
I also walked in an unofficial capacity. I walked to show up in someone’s office with a smile instead of filling their inbox or calling. To show I cared. To express what I couldn’t in an email or by phone.
I walked to help get a difficult conversation off the ground.
I walked to catch up with a friend or build rapport with a colleague.
I walked to console an advisee who didn’t want anyone to see them crying.
I walked to listen. I walked to share. I walked to connect.
I love how this article gets at what happens in our brains when we walk and how that can extend into how and what we are, making a case for promoting walking as part of relationship building. I couldn’t agree more.
During a pandemic, walking outdoors is deemed fairly safe. To the author’s point, if you can’t walk and talk in person together, pandemic or otherwise, a walk and talk phone date can be perfect too.
If it isn’t a part of your routine, I highly recommend walking. If you can’t do it as much or as easily due to the weather, you can always make up for it in the fairer seasons.
