Pursuing Happiness Column
Matthew Desmond
Staff Writer
No one has to tell you that the weather is getting warmer, and, as the snow goes away, so does one of your excuses for not exercising.
An easy and fun way to exercise is just to get out and walk, and we’re talking a little more than just the two minutes it takes to get to and from class.
Not only will walking help you emotionally, but it can also help you physically. According to the Mayo Clinic, taking a walk can increase the production of endorphins, which are chemicals made by the nervous system to alleviate pain and increase happiness. It will also help your cardiovascular health.
Not only will you feel happier and healthier when you walk, but walking can also be a nice break from studying. As students, we all get to the point where our brains need a break from sitting at our computers. Walking can be a great form of a break. Going for a walk outside can recharge your batteries. When you take a break to go for a walk, you come back feeling rejuvenated. Your walk also does not need to be very long. Even if the walk is just 10 minutes, you are still giving your brain a good break. You might even return to work more productive.
Getting outside to walk gives us a change in scenery. We have an entire 30-acre campus we can explore. While you are walking, you can hear the buzzing from our campus beehives, visit the greenhouse, or even take a trip behind Parmer Hall to visit the Grotto and the Labyrinth.
If you want a longer walk, Thatcher Woods is less than a mile away. Don’t drive, walk there. The woods, which are part of the Forest Preserve of Cook County, have 245 acres of forest, floodplain and prairie. There are miles of paved trails and unpaved trails; some of which go along the river. It is open sunrise to sunset all year round. There is also the Trailside Museum, which is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Check out the website. There are often guided walks and other nature programs.
Walking can also help you to become more mindful. On a walk, you have the chance to feel the breeze, hear the singing of birds and see colorful plants. It will feel good to replace the noise and stress of school, studying, and your job with the sounds of nature. You can feel your feet on the soft grass or the hard pavement. This can help to ground you in the moment and give your brain a break from thinking about the next thing you have to get done. When we walk to and from classes, we often just think about our busy to-do lists or what will happen in class. However, through walking by choice, we can take time to actually enjoy the experience.
You can use this time to appreciate solitude, or you can make walking something you do with friends. Make sure you have a good pair of walking shoes and bring water. Another thing you can do is bring a plastic bag to pick up trash. You will be doing something good for the planet as well as for yourself.