Walking
October 03, 2016
by a searcher from Bowdoin College in 75 Washington Ave, Portland, ME 04101, USA
The chill that has started to permeate the air is a reminder that summer is now behind us and winter is rapidly approaching. While we don’t mind winter in general, short days, icy walkways, and inclement weather all get in the way of our ritualistic daily walks, which we have found to be an extremely productive way to ponder a problem, reflect upon large amounts of information, or discuss a sensitive topic with a friend. As unabashed walk enthusiasts, we often think of the activity not as an athletic endeavor but rather something that is essential to our mental well-being.
As such, we were interested in learning that routine walks are apparently a habit of a surprising number of leading intellectuals. As noted by a Design School blog, “some of the best minds have found that walking, whether a quick five-minute jaunt, or a long four-hour trek, has helped them compose, write, paint, and create.” From a historical perspective, Beethoven was reportedly an “avid walker” who would take short breaks while working and then spend his afternoons wandering around Vienna. Charles Dickens would “walk whenever the mood took him,” covering miles while pondering a problem. Charles Darwin was such a walking enthusiast that he installed a circular gravel path at his home where he would “walk around each day as he thought about problems.” In more modern times, Steve Jobs – along with many other tech icons like Mark Zuckerberg – are well-known in Silicon Valley for their long walks where they problem solve, contemplate issues, or conduct meetings.
When busy at work, we sometimes worry that taking a walk break is actually a frivolous avoidance of work. Our reading this week reassures us that our walking habit is actually part of how we maximize productivity and that making time for it is likely more important during periods of stress. While the upcoming winter season will undoubtedly cut into our daily mileage, we’re happy to know we are in good company with our walking habit and will continue the practice accordingly.