Regular exercise, it is said, can boost creativity.

For me, that exercise is walking.

I used to think that going for a walk was a) boring and b) too insignificant to count as exercise.

That is, until I started going for walks regularly.

I had just moved to a new city. I didn’t know a soul and had a lot of time on my hands. One Saturday, after breakfast, I decided to step out for a walk in my neighbourhood. The walk turned into an excursion as I chanced upon a picturesque old church with a lake nearby and spent the morning there, marvelling at its exquisite architecture and relaxing by the lake.

The next morning, again, I packed a small backpack with my camera, earphones and a bottle of water, and set out to explore the city. This soon became a regular activity and I realised how much I enjoyed waking.

Walking refreshes me. The walks have become almost like meditation sessions. I like to observe life and the hustle and bustle of the city. Sometimes, I come  across something beautiful and stop to click a few pictures. At other times, I listen to music or audio books (if I’m walking in a park).

I find myself calmer and happier. My creativity has spiked. Walking for an hour is plenty of time to spend with one’s thoughts. I’m amazed at how many creative ideas have struck while I’m out walking. It has brought mental clarity and I find myself thinking about things from a fresh perspective after I’ve had a nice brisk walk.

I even made up a little rhyme one day while I was walking through the centre of town :

Armed with my camera,
I set out for a stroll,
I saw so much beauty
It brought joy to my soul!
As I walked through the city
Amidst the concrete,
I found beauty
On every street!

Do you like going for walks too? Where is your favourite place to walk – around the city or amidst nature?