Get Outside to Improve Your Well-being
My grandfather, who I called Babaji, woke at the crack of dawn every day. He’d drink water, use the toilet, take a bath, and then sit in front of his altar to breathe, meditate, and pray. He’d get dressed and eat his breakfast with chai.
And then, my Babaji would head out for his walk. I've since learned that getting outside for just 10 minutes before 10 am is a powerful way to boost your health because it resets your circadian rhythm- your internal clock which regulates every cell, organ, and system in the body.
Get outside to sync with nature’s rhythms.
Living in harmony with nature’s rhythms is a key element of Ayurvedic practices. All of the daily routines and seasonal practices I teach are linked to this critical connection to nature. But in our modern societies, it can be so easy to get stuck indoors.
Getting outside, even for just 10 minutes a day, reminds us of all we are connected to—the sun and moon, plants and trees, lakes and oceans, animals and insects—all of nature.
3 walking practices to try.
Like my Babaji, I really love a good walk and often recommend them to the people I coach. There are lots of ways to walk. Here are three of my favorite.
Go for a vigorous walk to increase prana, the flow of energy, through your body to clear out toxins when you feel overwhelmed and heavy.
Take a “thank you” walk after lunch. Research shows that gratitude interrupts stress, so when you combine gratitude with physical movement you tap into a powerful source of energy, creativity, and positivity. Try it out and see how your afternoon changes.
Walk and talk to increase connection. Loneliness is an epidemic with real health consequences—including higher rates of depression and even premature death. Call someone you love or someone you haven’t talked to recently on your next walk.
Adaptations for tough weather.
I live in Chicago, so I know there are days where it’s just TOO cold and icy for a proper walk. And conversely, really hot days can be challenging.
Too cold or icy? Go outside anyway. Make a snowman if you can. Get that natural light.
Too hot? Try moving your walk to early in the morning or late at night.
Really can’t get outside? Try a sun lamp to simulate the effect of natural light on your body.
Be well.
Avanti Kumar-Singh, MD