Just Keep Walking
Here is something that caught our eye this week:
An update to some thoughts from 2016
Back in 2016, we wrote about the benefits of our ritualistic daily walk. From the post:
[Our walks are] 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 to learn 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.
While we used to worry that taking a walk break was a frivolous avoidance of work, in today’s “stay home, stay safe” world, we believe this daily habit is even more important to maintain. Most shelter in place mandates provide exceptions for outdoor exercise, and we have found getting outside at least once a day for a walk is critical for maintaining mental health in the face of widespread stress and uncertainty. So, despite work demands, family constraints, or inclement weather, we plan to just keep walking and hope our readers will be able to do the same.
Have a great week,
Your Chenmark Team
