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There’s
speed-walking, there’s strolling, and then there’s flaneuring. The walking trend
inspired by 19th century aristocrats with the luxury to be
idle is proving beneficial in an age when it often seems we have anything but
free time.
The French term flaneur is not directly translatable to English but
essentially means to ramble leisurely — to walk with no purpose other than
relaxation and enjoyment, reports Today. The practice is
accessible wherever you live, according to Erika Owen, author of The Art of
Flaneuring, but ideally should be done in unfamiliar areas.
After a move to New York, Owen discovered that taking solo walks and noticing
new surroundings left her feeling calm and provided her perspective. And the
science backs up her experience.
A recent study on “awe walks” found that older individuals who took weekly
15-minute group walks in unfamiliar areas felt an increased sense
of joy and social connectedness, and were even smiling more
as the study went on. So next time you step outside for some fresh air,
consider leaving your cell phone, podcasts, and fitness trackers behind; find
a part of town you’re unfamiliar with, and ramble on.
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