The Benefits of Walking – The 50/90 Principle Revealed

Subject: Benefits of walking the 50/90 principle

Location: Orlando

I strongly believe that walking can cure almost anything in our mind and body. This article will explain the benefits of walking. My story with walking and why you should start as well.  

“All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

Going on a long walk is magical.

With each step, you become clearer. 

That strong feeling of anger is now wrapped with compassion.

The problem you had, solved.

The hurricane in our minds has transformed into a calm pond.

Let me explain how I came to this conclusion. One day, my inner Enemies were defeating me on every front. I was very sad, not satisfied where I was in life and feeling as icky as it can get.

Have you ever had a tough time getting yourself to do ANYTHING?

I couldn’t get myself to read, to work, to workout or anything.

Hours were wasted until there was a spark. For some reason, the idea of a walk came to mind. I ran outside of my apartment before the Enemy could chip in with its opinion. I sprinted down the steps and began. Right foot. Left foot.

Right on cue, the Enemy filled my mind with chatter...

 “What the hell do you think your doing?”

​ “Where are you going?”

​I just picked up the pace, blasted my music twice as loud and continued trekking.

53 minutes later I was a different Daniel. The Invasion that the Enemy led was quickly retreating. I was back in control of my Empire. Not only was I sitting back on my throne, I had immense clarity and was filled with genius ideas.

“Above all, do not lose your desire to walk: everyday I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness; I have walked myself into my best thought, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one can not walk away from it.” – Soren Kierkegaard

For the next week, I walked every day. I kept note of what I was feeling not knowing where it would end up. The first day it happened was 53 minutes. The next was 56 minutes. The day after 54 minutes, then an hour and 3 minutes and back to 56.

My realization: It took around 50 minutes to experience clarity and erase all my stress and worries. It was as if I took all of my self-sabotage and threw it in the dumpster. After these shocking results, I decided to walk even longer. Going for two hour walks. 

The next insight was that around an hour and 30 minutes (90 minutes) I would have complete control over my mind. The clarity was tremendous. I could think whatever I wanted. I could visualize and brainstorm with complete focus and conscious direction.  

I was directing the orchestra of my mind. 

This is where my 50/90 principle came to light.

“Me thinks that the moment my legs begin to move my thoughts begin to flow.” – Henry David Thoreau

50 minutes to experience clarity, 90 minutes to have complete control. This is not static. It changes per day. Test it out for yourself. You will never regret a long walk. If you want to get your life in order start a walking practice. If you want to be filled with creative inspiration all day long, start walking. If you want to experience a deep calmness and clarity in your life...start walking.

Here are some guidelines to maximize the benefits of walking as you start this journey:

• Make sure to hydrate before the walk
• Walk outside and if possible, go on this trek in nature
• Look at the clouds for at least one minute at a certain point during your walk
• Listen to an audiobook, podcast during the walk
• Make sure to have a notepad on your phone or on your persons ready to write down when the creative inspiration floods you
• After 50 minutes, take off your headphones and just walk in silence
• After 90 minutes, bring a situation to the forefront of your mind so you can break it down, visualize the future or focus on a challenge you are facing.

Follow these guidelines and create your own. See you outside!

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