Why Daily Walks Outdoors Will Make You More Successful

“Walking is among the most life-affirming of human activities. It is the way we organize space and orient ourselves to the world at large. It is the living proof that repetition – placing one foot in front of the other – can in fact allow a person to make meaningful progress.”

John Kaag

Focus on the green background above for 60 seconds. What did you think about and how do you feel? Our brains crave exterior space. We need the outdoors so bad research shows that staring at the mere color green for as little as 60 seconds can actually reduce stress, improve our mood, increase our focus, and make us more productive.

When spring comes, we stop hibernating. Just like animals, we change coats to blend in with our new surroundings. And we crave vitamin D.

According to the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), our time spent in nature is on the decline; we spend 25% less time in nature than just 20 years ago. In research conducted by OnePoll and commissioned by Lenovo, just 29 minutes (less than a half-hour) getting outside in nature can increase our productivity by 45%.

Scientist Marily Oppezzo discusses a study that showed that the number of creative ideas doubled during brainstorming sessions in those who walked, whether walking in place on a treadmill or walking outdoors.

 Walking Benefits

Why is walking good for you? Whether it’s walking for an hour, walking for 30 minutes, or even taking walks shorter than 20 minutes, when we combine an element of nature with the benefits of going for a walk, it’s a double threat. The benefits of taking a walk are vast and include:

• Increased blood flow.
• Increased energy.
• Increased Vitamin D.
• Improved immune system and cardiovascular health.
• Reduced risk of stroke, heart disease, and diabetes.
• Strengthened muscles and bones.
• Aligned circadian rhythm.
• Regulated appetite.
• Improved cognitive function (memory, concentration, reasoning, etc.)
• Decreased risk of certain brain disorders like Alzheimer’s Disease.
• Reduced stress.
• Improved mood.
• And better social behavior.

CEOs like Jeff Bezos at Amazon, Jeff Weiner at LinkedIn, and Mark Zuckerberg at Facebook are also proponents of walking during the workday, whether going on walks before, after, or during a meeting. Walking meetings help with a free flow of ideas and make the meeting more casual and less stuffy. In a walking meeting, you are looking at what’s ahead of you instead of making continuous eye contact with the meeting’s host, so people are more comfortable sharing.

Why Does Walking in Nature Make Us More Creative?

So why does walking, nature, and exercise make you more creative? A physical exercise like walking is repetitive, reflexive, and meditative; it is low-effort and low-focus; therefore, it demands a portion of our attention but by no means all of it, which allows us to focus on other things. Nature unquestionably pulls our attention to it (a waterfall, mountains, a tree, or animal) but does not require a large portion of concentration, which allows our mind to clear, our distractions to fade, and our stresses to dissipate. During a walk, we also increase blood flow, Vitamin D, energy, and cognitive function, ticking off additional boxes for an elevated level of thinking and mood. Nature also ties in elements of philosophy and spirituality, which encourages us to ponder life and business on deeper levels during an outdoor walk.

Is Sunlight a Thing, too?

Yes, sunlight is a thing; it provides a healthy dose of vitamin d and increases serotonin in our brains, which improves our mood. A positive mindset can actually increase our productivity by more than 30%. So whether it’s sitting by a window, morning walks, day walks, or another sun-filled activity, make sure you are getting a healthy dose of sunlight throughout the week. And, always remember to wear sunscreen!

Exercising Outdoors Increases Your Productivity

Employees who schedule exercise or time outdoors before or during their workday see increased productivity, creativity, and mood. However, many of us are still spending too much time glued to our desks. A study by Ambius revealed that 40% of employees spend only a maximum of 15 minutes outside during each workday. Another study showed that the average office worker only spent about 60 minutes outside in total each day; this number has since increased to 75 minutes with an influx of people walking for exercise and mental clarity as work from home jobs climbed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Plants, Windows, and Water Features

A Human Spaces Global Report revealed a 15% increase in well-being and creativity and a 6% increase in productivity from respondents who worked in an office with natural elements like plants.

Natural light is also conducive to an employee’s state of mind, which is why windows are important. Bonus points if your windows look out to an inspiring view.

Botanists caution that we dismiss our everyday landscapes too quickly, especially plants, referring to what has been coined as plant blindness or overlooking the beautiful greenery that is right in front of us. Giving your office a light and airy feel with smart design choices, plant life, and even a water feature can help maintain a calming atmosphere for you and your workers. The book Blue Mind, written by Wallace J. Nichols, discusses humanity’s deep connection to water and its psychological importance. If you work from home, perhaps invest in a small desk fountain or one for your yard outside, maybe even a fish tank.

Make Walking at Work Part of Your Daily Routine

The health benefits of walking every day (physically and mentally) combined with routine time spent in nature directly correlate with productivity and innovation at work. As such, we should be incorporating these elements into our daily schedules. Supervisors should promote daily walks and consistent time spent outside by scheduling walking meetings, outdoor brainstorming sessions, and exercise hours. Look for nearby parks, pleasant cityscapes, or a nice area directly on your property to walk or sit beside. While wellness programs can often encourage walking workouts, many do not follow through on illustrating just how important walking outside is to your creative and professional process, whether in winter, spring, summer, or fall.

Celebrate all the special moments in your life and business at Brookhollowcards.com.