As I sit down at my desk to write, I feel heavy in the chair. Stuck. Unsure where to begin. Through the window, I watch a chipmunk scamper across my woodpile and hear the high-pitched trill of hummingbirds as they fly around the cabin in search of late-summer nectar. The animals are in motion. I close my laptop and push away from my desk, heeding their call and the good advice of this very column’s name.
I get outside.
Above the frame of my front door is a small print of a mountain scene with the Latin words solvitur ambulando. Stepping under the print and across the threshold, I take a deep breath of fresh air and ponder the saying.
Attributed to the fourth century B.C.E. Greek philosopher Diogenes, solvitur ambulando means “it is solved by walking.” Years ago, when I found myself in a deep mental rut and didn’t know how to pull myself out, this print unexpectedly showed up in the mail. The saying felt like a divine message just when I needed it most. It got me walking.
In our high-speed culture of devices and digital distractions, I often find myself craving a slower pace and a simpler life without screens. And when there seems to be a quick-fix pill for everything these days, I’m always eager to first try natural ways to clear brain fog and overwhelm. One possible remedy, according to experts, is to take a walk and get the blood flowing.
Walking offers a host of health benefits, including bolstered mood, memory, and brain function. Case in point, Stanford University researchers found that a person’s creative output increases by 60% when walking versus sitting.
Each time I leave the house, I look up at my print. It reminds me I can recharge my creative tank any time — and handle life’s challenges a little better — with the help of a good old-fashioned walk.
After a stroll to the mailbox and back, I return to my desk to take another stab at my writing assignment. I feel much more clear-headed after my walk. The words flow.
I know walking is good for me — I can feel the results every time. The burning question is: Why don’t I take a walk more often? In my case, the biggest resistance is breaking free of resting inertia and the profound pull of my comfortable chair. But once I do, I always feel better.
If you’re dragging your feet about getting outside today, I totally get it. Maybe try this as a first step: After reading this article, set it down, stand up, walk over, and open the front door. Once there, take a deep breath and cross the threshold. The outside will most likely beckon. The walk doesn’t have to be long. How about to the mailbox and back?
Who knows? You may receive a magical delivery. And when you return, don’t be surprised if you feel a little lighter in the chair. Less stuck about something. You might find, for today at least, it is solved by walking.
Becky Jensen is a writer who lives and works in a little cabin on a big river in Northern Colorado. She’s also a proud member of Poudre Valley REA. You can find her at beckyjensenwrites.com.
