Walking has become one of the most important practices in my own wellbeing routine. It is simple, accessible, and yet deeply powerful. For me, it is not just about exercise. Walking is a way to reset my mind, process stress, and return to a sense of balance in the middle of busy days.
Research continues to confirm what many of us intuitively know: walking improves mental health, enhances creativity, and supports long-term physical health. Personally, I think of it less as “exercise” and more as “medicine.” When life feels overwhelming, walking has a way of bringing me back into focus.
Technology, interestingly, has helped me stay consistent with this practice. While I value being present and not over-optimizing, I have found that certain tools can make walking easier to build into daily life.
1. Step Trackers
I use a simple wrist-based tracker to remind myself when I have been sitting for too long. These small nudges help me prioritise movement when the day becomes filled with screens and meetings. Reaching a step target is not about perfection, but it does provide a useful sense of rhythm.
2. Strava
When I log a walk on Strava, I do it not for competition but for connection. There is something motivating about seeing friends and colleagues share their movement, and I enjoy encouraging them in return. It transforms a solitary walk into a shared experience, even when we are miles apart.
3. Forest
Forest is a focus app that rewards you for staying off your phone by planting a virtual tree. I sometimes set it while I go for a short walk, so that both I and my digital forest benefit. It reframes a short break as something purposeful rather than indulgent.
4. Podcasts & Walking Meetings
Some of my most creative ideas have arrived while listening to a podcast on a long walk. Podcasts transform walking into both exercise and education, making it time to move and to learn simultaneously. I also occasionally use transcription tools like Otter.ai for walking meetings. Speaking ideas aloud while in motion helps me think more clearly than sitting in front of a screen.
5. Mindful Walking
Not every walk needs to be productive. Sometimes I prefer a slower, mindful approach. Apps like Headspace and Calm offer guided walking meditations that encourage me to notice my environment more deeply - the pace of my steps, the sound of leaves, or the way light falls across a path. These moments bring me back to presence.
My Reflection
For me, walking is a form of everyday therapy. It is a practice that supports both body and mind, and technology, when chosen intentionally, can play a valuable role in sustaining it. Whether through trackers, community apps, podcasts, or guided meditations, I see walking as one of the simplest yet most effective ways to restore clarity and calm.
When I feel stuck, I walk. And more often than not, that is exactly the medicine I need.
