mistermachismo

This post is about one of the simplest solutions I’ve made a habit for my health.

There’s a real elegance about simple solutions to problems.

They’re often deceptively effective at achieving what we want, and indicate just how much we tend to over-intellectualise solutions to problems.

For example, health/fitness/nutrition is an almost unnavigable field of complete BS and scam artists, accompanied by a changing story about what is the perfect way to eat or exercise.

In reality, the most simplest intervention that the average Joe or Jane could undertake to improve their health and wellbeing is:

Walk for 1 hour outside first thing in the morning every single day.

I love this intervention because:

• Most people simply do not walk enough each day, this changes that,
• Practically everyone despite current fitness levels can walk for 60 minutes,
• The consistency of the habit is a foundation you can build from,
• You need zero equipment,
• Spending additional time outside is always beneficial, fresh air and calms you,
• Walking itself is incredibly therapeutic for ailments, especially the back,
• There’s practically no circumstances where you cannot walk,
• You get to observe sunrises, which are beautiful, and sync your circadian rhythm,
• You’ve accomplished something significant for your health first thing in the morning,
• Walking first thing in the morning means you are fasted, which helps control weight,
• When done consistently over a long period of time your cardiovascular health improves,
• Done barefoot on grass or sand, it improves your foot, ankle, knee and hip health,
• Walking without music or podcasts, etc. turns it into a kind of walking meditation.

I’m sure there are countless other reasons why doing this is beneficial, but the point of the story is that sometimes very simple solutions are the best ones.