Being more active is a common New Year’s resolution.
Even though we are already past Quitter's Day for New Year’s goals, let’s consider committing to walks with others in natural settings. Connecting with others while moving and in nature is a trifecta of connection.
First, even short spurts of moderate walking are shown to improve overall health in many ways. (Much is being made of the benefits to insulin regulation from even 2 to 5 minutes of walking after a meal. The actual study is focused on the superior effects of a short walk over standing as a break from sitting, yet the results are clear: Walking is good for your health.)
Secondly, simply being in natural settings “makes us happier, healthier, and more creative” (Williams, The Nature Fix). (The Nature Fix by Florence Williams is an excellent exploration of the benefits of being outdoors as proven by modern research, including one study that demonstrates even simply looking at photos of natural settings causes people to behave instantly in happier ways.)
Finally, being together is a great way to connect with another person. (We often discuss the benefits of in-person time in this blog, and evidence exists that moving together—such as walking or dancing—has value on many levels.)
Boulder scrambles make great challenges.
Social Synchrony
Have you ever noticed that your steps tend to sync with the other person when you go on a walk together? Research suggests that physical synchronized movements promote social bonding and feelings of connection.
Sometimes, face-to-face conversations can feel intimidating. Many people find it easier to discuss sensitive topics while walking side-by-side rather than sitting across from one another. Part of it might be the lack of direct eye contact, and some of it might be that when we are moving, conversation flow more naturally.
Shared experiences also strengthen social bonds. Tackling a winter hike in the Midwest with a group who helps one another over icy spots in the trail and shares
extra gloves and hats to make sure everyone stays warm gives you a feeling of accomplishing something special together.
Hiking miles in the rain the end of October in the Midwest might sound miserable—but it wasn’t. We had good gear, great friends, and of course snacks. The weather made for lots of laughter, stunning saturated colors of the landscape, and memories of the day we hiked 6 miles in the rain.
Movement seems to enhance connection.
Four friends gathered to celebrate an end-of-October birthday together with a hiking trip to Hocking Hills, Ohio.]
Research shows that being in nature reduces stress and improves mood; perhaps those things make us more open to social connection – or maybe there is something about the physical movement itself that frees us up a little socially.
Even though I don’t like being cold, I enjoy walking and hiking in the winter (I just make sure to wear good, breathable clothing to stay warm). This year, I’m trying to walk for at least 5 minutes a day. That usually means around the block, but I am also taking the time to get to a nearby park. Often one of my adult sons joins me. We throw snowballs, laugh trying to navigate muddy and snowy trails, and bond over how cold it is.
We’ve been experimenting with how cold is too cold to venture out. So, on a day with 18 degrees on the thermometer, we bundled up and hit the park. It had snowed recently, and it was beautiful in the falling light of the day.
Having that shared experience of beauty contrasted with asking ourselves, “Why are we subjecting ourselves to this level of cold?” is a memory we now share. We made it 18 minutes before retreating to the car. I think we may have found our limit.
I’ve titled this photo “18 in 18” – meaning 18 minutes walking in 18-degree weather.
Walking is good for our physical health.
Being in nature is good for our mental health.
Being with others is good for our overall wellbeing.
I encourage you to put those three together. Invite others to join you on hiking adventures.
Notice how your conversations might be more open. Do your steps physically sync up after a bit of walking together? Test your limits together – try hiking in the snow or rain if you’ve not done that before. Tackle a difficult trail together. Or, just spend time leisurely walking through a community park together seeing how many squirrels you can count.
Maybe the New Year’s resolution isn’t about health at all but increasing social value. We are at a time in history where we need improved social value more than ever.
Golden Connection Challenge:
Invite someone to experience nature with you this week.
Share this blog with others to increase social value in the new year.
I’d love to hear about your experiences with a comment here or email me using the contact form.
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