I have enjoyed walking as a hobby as far as I can remember, but my best memories are of the scenic walks I went for with my maternal grandfather in Kashmir. Our long walks were treasure troves of varied landscapes as we passed through streets lined with three-storied houses with their cantilevered balconies and rose shrub fences circling the houses, through picturesque avenues of chinar trees, and through banks alongside the mystical Dal Lake. So ensconced is the imagery of the lake in my mind that I can still visualize it adorned with its impressive house boats and its flat-bottomed boats with pointed front-ends called shikaras carrying vendors around with their daily wares.
Carrying the torch of my grandfather’s legacy, I have realized the many perks of embracing walking as a part of your life. It’s both the perfect way to kick start your day with the extra oomph or end it with the much-needed respite from an overwhelming one!
In fact, you can do it any time of the day. It can be done anywhere, on a trail designated for walking, on a beach if you have access to one, or on a sidewalk next to a road bustling with traffic. The venues are limitless. The best part about walking is that you can do it alone, with family or with friends. It’s both age and weather proof. Go out with a wind sheeter or a rain coat on a light rainy day, clad yourself in parkas and give a go to snow-shoeing on a cold one, or just enjoy a sun-soaked walk with a hat!
Walking is like an exploration or a treasure hunt where you venture into places unseen or set out to discover new things. The choices are endless.
One of the many gems you will find along the way is a variety of different birds and animals never seen before, a lot of them in their natural habitat, something so unique to being outside. What adds more pizazz to this fun-packed adventure is experiencing the changing landscape during different seasons. No matter when you step out for a walk, it’s a walker’s paradise — a sight for sore eyes. Feast your eyes on lush green woods and beautiful blooms coming to life with the filtered sunlight during summer, hear your feet crunch as you walk on fallen dried leaves amidst the hues of yellow and red foliage in fall, and enjoy the myriad of footprints left in the snow as you make your way through the winter wonderland. Besides the jewels of mother nature, while sharing the same path, you will also come across a bevy of interesting people in all shapes and sizes. An elderly couple strolling leisurely hand in hand, a mom pacing her way with a napping baby in a stroller, or a bunch of boisterous teenagers zipping past you on bikes.
Walking, besides providing you with a thrilling quest packed with its unique wonders, also benefits both your physical and mental health innumerably. It improves your heart rate and keeps you fit. Moreover, it not only calms your mind, but it also lifts your spirits as well. You are in a contemplative trance, aware of your own thoughts and own self but somehow get roped in the hustle bustle around you or the stillness of the tranquil setting you are in. So absorbed are you in observing the world around you that you tend to shift away from your own world and life for a moment and relax. It’s like watching a movie that you like — the only difference is this time you get to be in it and steer to any direction of your liking. A relaxed mind is a very powerful tool — it improves your focus, helps you reflect on your emotions and thoughts with a clear mind, and guides you to make more rational decisions that will serve you better in the long run and help you lead a happy and content life.
So, just leave everything and get out, and literally take a hike. All you need is you, your willingness to walk, and a pair of good walking shoes. And, don’t forget your binoculars!!!!