Walking: A Path to Connection, Wellbeing and Community
In today’s fast-paced world, the simple act of walking is often overlooked, despite its immense benefits for both physical health and mental clarity. Walking isn’t just about moving from one place to another; it’s an opportunity to connect—whether with nature, others, or ourselves. Regular walks can reduce stress, boost creativity, enhance problem solving and foster stronger social bonds. More importantly, walking together creates a sense of community, offering a shared experience that promotes connection in a world that increasingly isolates us.
Embrace the Benefits of Walking—Especially with Others
If you’re at all interested in walking and think you could find a way to fit it into your daily routine, especially with friends or a group, the rewards are profound. Whether it’s improving your physical health or enhancing your mental wellbeing, the benefits of walking are far-reaching. In fact, group walks can also increase motivation and help build a sense of belonging. We’ve rounded up five great, recent books about walking that are sure to inspire you and help you reap these benefits!
Explore These 5 Must Read Books on Walking!
52 Ways to Walk by Annabel Streets
In 52 Ways to Walk, Annabel Streets demonstrates how walking can enhance physical health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life. The book introduces various types of walks—power walks, mindful nature walks, and leisurely strolls—each offering unique benefits, from boosting mood to improving cardiovascular health. Streets emphasizes that small changes, like taking the stairs or a short walk during lunch, can easily incorporate walking into daily life. The added benefits of outdoor walks, such as exposure to natural light, further elevate walking’s positive effects. Ideal for those seeking accessible, enjoyable ways to improve their health.
Best Quote:
“A vigorous five-mile walk will do more good for an unhappy but otherwise healthy adult than all the medicine and psychology in the world.”
Available on Amazon HERE
In Praise of Walking by Shane O’Mara
In In Praise of Walking, neuroscientist Shane O’Mara explores the powerful effects walking has on our physical and mental health. He demonstrates how regular walking reduces the risk of chronic diseases, boosts creativity, and helps alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. O’Mara also highlights walking’s role in fostering social connections and its importance in urban planning for creating more walkable, healthy communities. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the broad, life-enhancing benefits of simply putting one foot in front of the other.
Best Quote:
“A society that does not walk is a society that does not thrive.”
Available on Amazon HERE
A Walking Life by Antonia Malchik
A Walking Life by Antonia Malchik explores how walking is integral to our humanity, health, and connection to the world around us. The book emphasizes that walking offers both physical and mental health benefits, fosters community ties, and can inspire societal change by advocating for more walkable environments. Malchik urges readers to reclaim walking as an essential part of life. This book is ideal for those interested in the intersection of personal growth, public policy, and creating more connected, sustainable communities.
Best Quote:
“When we walk, we are fully present in the world.”
Available on Amazon HERE
Walking with Glenn Berkenkamp
Walking with Glenn Berkenkamp – 35 Wellness Walks to Expand Awareness, Increase Vitality, and Reduce Stress – offers a blend of personal reflection and practical advice, focusing on how walking can be a tool for healing, mindfulness, and self-discovery. Through Berkenkamp’s own journey, the book illustrates how walking can improve mental clarity, reduce stress, and provide a deeper connection to both nature and oneself. Ideal for anyone seeking inspiration to incorporate more walking into their lives as a way to enhance physical and emotional well-being, it’s especially suited for those interested in mindfulness and personal growth.
Available on Amazon HERE
Why Walk? by Joyce Shulman
Why Walk? by Joyce Shulman highlights how walking can improve both physical health and mental well-being. The book explores the transformative power of walking, showcasing how it reduces stress, enhances creativity, and boosts productivity. Shulman draws on scientific research and personal stories to emphasize how regular walking, especially in groups, fosters social connections and provides an opportunity for reflection. This book is perfect for anyone seeking to unlock the mental and physical benefits of walking, especially those looking for ways to enhance creativity and well-being.
Best Quote
“Walking is a man’s best medicine.”
Available on Amazon HERE
Henry David Thoreau and the Lost Art of Sauntering
Although not included this in the list above, Henry David Thoreau (the 19th-century American philosopher and naturalist) wrote an essay Walking and it certainly deserves a mention! Published posthumously in 1862, Walking offers a heartfelt celebration of the act of walking as a path to enlightenment, a deeply reflective exploration of nature, and an escape from the constraints of modern life. For Thoreau, walking was much more than a form of exercise; it was a spiritual practice, a sacred journey that connected him to nature and, in turn, to the greater truths of existence.
One of the key terms Thoreau introduces in his essay is “sauntering,” which he distinguishes from the hurried, purposeful walks of everyday life. Thoreau believed that the word “saunter” originated from the Middle Ages, describing pilgrims—referred to as Sainte-Terrer, or Holy-Landers—who set off on their journeys without a specific destination, embodying a sense of spiritual wandering.
Walking: A Path to Enlightenment
Thoreau’s sauntering is an invitation to walk without a fixed purpose, allowing the mind to wander freely and connect with the world around us. He wrote, “I think that I cannot preserve my health and spirits, unless I spend four hours a day at least— and it is commonly more than that—sauntering through the woods and over the hills and fields, absolutely free from all worldly engagements.” Thoreau’s view on walking encourages us to slow down and simply be present with nature, shedding the pressures of time and expectation. This is a practice we can all benefit from today, where a busy life often keeps us from taking the time to just walk, reflect, and allow our minds to wander.
Walking and Connection
Thoreau’s reflections on walking offer a profound exploration of connection—both with others and with the world around us. He saw walking as a way to connect deeply with nature, allowing the walker to merge with the natural world and find spiritual clarity. Walking, particularly alone, provided a unique space for introspection, mental freedom, and a sense of communion with something greater, whether that be the divine, the past, or the universe itself. Thoreau also recognized the physical benefits of walking, seeing it as a way to ground oneself and connect with the body.
While we’ve focused on walking as a way to connect with others, walking offers countless opportunities to connect with different aspects of life—nature, the self, and beyond – as explored by Thoreau. How do you experience walking and connection in your own life?
A Cup of Tea in Nature: The Perfect Pairing
To close, we hope this exploration into the art of walking—be it through Thoreau’s thoughtful perspective or the more grounded advice of the other authors we’ve discussed—has sparked some inspiration for you. Walking, with all its simplicity, offers both a path to physical well-being and an opportunity for mental clarity, creativity, and spiritual renewal. So, take a step outside, embrace the rhythm of your steps, and enjoy the peace that only a walk can bring. Be sure to plan how you can pair your walk with a peaceful cup of tea – let both nature and the tea work their magic!
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