There’s nothing like a walk outside to make you feel better about yourself and life in general. It gets the blood moving and sharpens the mind. Plus it’s a built-in way to get some exercise when the usual options are limited!

I’ve found that the key to such excursions requires several decisions for maximum benefit:

• Leave the “smart” phone at home, so you don’t miss the whole point of the activity.  Texts, phone calls, podcasts and buzzing alerts all distract from the opportunity to escape the 24/7 stress of our modern world, if only for a brief time.  Walk it off. 

• Don’t make the point of the walk to count steps, calories burned or heart rate.  You can leave the FitBit or other tracking device behind too.  Walk for solace, not for a score. 

• If you’ve got a canine companion to join you, even better. By paying attention to what they spot along the way, there’s no telling what surprises you may discover together.

Life’s simple pleasures take on added meaning when we provide space for them to happen.  And there’s no time like the present to discover what a simple walk will do for you.

Tempus Maximize!