Surprising Reasons Why People Walk: A Look at the Diversity of Motivations

There is a certain thing about long walks. The stillness of mind and motion of the body, light breeze fondling the skin and air whispering into the ear, smiling at the friendly strangers and picking a few words from the roadside converse. I am just in love with this emotion of walking. But different people have got different reasons for walking.

So, I went on this spree of surveying 20 people in the Sanjayanagar Boulevard asking them their reasons for walking.

My survey on people’s reasons for walking

1. Diabetes

I first asked the 39-year-old man strolling in slow lazy motion; he smiled and said, “Sir I have diabetes, the doctor strictly recommended me to walk to control my blood glucose”.

The Bengali kaka who clapped all the way through his walk said that clapping reduces sugar. And so he claps back and forth while walking through it is a nuisance for others.

Also Read: Walking and Diabetes

2. Heart Problems

The elderly lady in her sixties recently underwent coronary angioplasty(PTCA) and the doctor advised her for daily exercise and walking was the easiest option.

3. Peace of mind

The man in khadi kurta and rudraksha mala told me that walking gives him some calm time to chant his mantras.

4. Sleep Problems

The newly-wed girl who came to this unknown city marrying the stranger said that she could not fall asleep and hence she comes for a walk to get tired and get good sleep.

5. Anxiety Issues

I spoke to a  boy who always came in formals in a walk. The unemployed engineer hunting for the job was suffering from anxiety neurosis and said that walking allowed him to breathe.

6. Bonding time

The busy entrepreneur and a mother of 6-year-old came for a walk with her daughter every morning. I asked her the reason for walking and she said, “My little girl comes for cycling here and this is the time we spend time together to getting healthy”.

7. Self-Reflection

The young entrepreneur running a rising start-up said he use this walking time for introspection and plans his day on his walk.

8. Gossip Time

The chirpy girl in curly hair said that she comes to meet her friends and get her scoops of gossips. 

9. Destressing

The stressed manager said that he comes to practice deep breathing as it is his way of stress-bursting. 

10. Obesity

The obese lady in salwar and sneakers jogging in high speed said that walking was her desperate attempt at losing weight.

The new mother who gained a lot of weight in her pregnancy told me that she comes for a walk and exercise in the park for shedding some weight.

11. Escape

The young spinster living with her strict parents said that this is her only escape, the only way to come out of the house. It was her little window of freedom.

12. Networking

The insurance agent said that this walk was just his platform for networking. He is not health conscious but this is where he meets his target customers.

13. Me time

The sailor said it is during these long walks that he talks on his phone without any interruption from his wife.

14. Motivation

The man with his headphones on showed me his collection of speech by spiritual leaders. It was his solo-time to re-channelize his energies.

15. Creativity

The aspiring musician said that walking brings new tunes to him. Some days he listens to music the other days he creates his own.

16. Meditation

The group of old folks walk in a group and meditate together. Walking is a major attraction for meditation!

17. Dog Walking

The man with the Labrador turned out to be a dentist who comes down the lane to give his little boy a walk.

18. Meet

The three musketeers, old friends came for walking to meet each other and share a cup of tea at RMV club.

Conclusion

I was astonished. No two people shared the same reason for walking. Many people many reasons. But the benefits of walking remained the same for all. So, matter what’s your reason never stop the hustle!

Share your story of walking every day and tell us your reasons for walking!!!