Lucy takes many walks, alone and with others. Do you like to take walks?

Lucy takes many walks, alone and with others. Do you like to take walks? Why, or why not? What are the benefits of this activity, particularly for Lucy?

Walking is one of my favorite activities. There is something about being outside, enjoying the change of seasons, and greeting neighbors. My dog thinks this is the best part of our day and I agree.

I love to walk, both alone or with friends. Alone, it is a time of reflection and sorting through life's blessings and challenges. With friends, it is everything from our own two-member book club to giving and receiving support in our challenges.

I like to walk and I usually do my 5K five times a week. It is good for my health. Sometimes I walk with a friend but also like to walk alone. It gives me time to think. I have a lovely trail along the Columbia River.

How I wish I could. When I did, I always had my camera ready to catch the beauty of nature. There is something marvelous about being alone with nature that clears your mind and helps you to think clearer. When with a friend, it gives you a chance to speak your thoughts out loud and hear how another feels about the subject. Especially when going through a difficult and confusing time.

I do like to walk. I see many people walking (and running) with ear buds in their ears, and I don't like to do that. It's one of the few activities where you can really think and not be as apt to get distracted. With Lucy being so much "in her head" it seems appropriate for her to be doing a lot of walking... plus walking by the sea is so delightful!

I realized early on during the pandemic that I was going to need to make an real effort to take care of myself mentally, physically, and spiritually-otherwise I would have been in big trouble. I walked with my dog daily, and was really able to explore new places and take my time doing so. There was no list of things waiting for me at home or real deadlines that I had to meet. I was able to just enjoy the moment. And I really did make an effort to walk and focus on what was around me, giving myself a break from everything that was going on in my head.

Once things opened up a little more, I met with a small group of women, and we hiked together once a week. We explored some really amazing places and became close over the year and a half we met weekly; celebrating birthdays, Christmas, sharing funny memes, and trying other new things together too. Sadly, our group didn't survive "getting back to normal", but I learned how much I need a small little group. I'm willing to take some risks to find a new hiking cohort and female friendship.

In many ways walking pulled me through COVID. I enjoyed it, both with people and alone. It's a kind of meditative experience... perhaps it was that way for Lucy too.

I love to take walks alone when the weather is nice. I think it helps to have a friend or someone to talk to if the conditions are challenging. Personally, I prefer to walk alone because it’s very calming and gives me time to think and enjoy nature.

I enjoyed walking when my lab was alive. We often walked at lovely locations and being in the outdoors is enjoyable. However I would never walk by myself.

I used to love to walk, wearing moccasins so I could feel what underneath my feet. Later I took long walks in the morning, and it was a lovely and peaceful beginning of day.

I enjoy walking about six times a week in my neighborhood. I spend the time looking at nature and thinking. If you walk at the same time each day, you will see many of the same people. During the pandemic, I walked for an hour and fifteen minutes each day. I wanted to take care of myself and it gave some structure to my day.

I like to take walks and during the pandemic I was usually doing it alone. Before and after the pandemic I usually walked with my husband or other family members. The walks were a nice break during the pandemic and good thinking time for me which I think Lucy enjoyed as well. Lucy made new friends, something apart from William, which I think she needed. Nature is such a stress reliever!

Lucy used walking as a time to reflect. I like walking also as a way of reflecting/thinking. There is something about fresh air and nature that brings me into relax mode. It is also a great time to see neighbors.

Yes, I love to walk. I was walking up to 7 miles every AM and then biking in the afternoons. Lately, I’ve had to cut back some but I added in hiking one or two days a week. I sometimes listen to podcasts but more often audio books. I also just enjoy being mindful as I walk, it’s a wonderful way to start the day and makes me feel so much better.

I love to walk to look at my surroundings as well as listen to a book. It really helps me with stress reduction. I tend to walk fast so walking with others is sometimes difficult.

I enjoy walks when the weather is right. I prefer to go alone but have been told not to because of my health. I try to get walk time in when I go out in the car by parking far away.

I do like taking walks--a good way to clear my mind of cobwebs. I enjoy being outside in general. Fresh air, sunshine (hopefully) have a way of taking the edge off the routine of the day. Gardening is my other go-to during the warmer months.

I live in Florida where it is extremely hot and humid, so when the weather cools down and gets less humid, as it has been lately, I love to walk. We have the Pinellas Trail access right across from our home so it is an easy path to walk, but the scenery in this part of the trail isn't like being by the water. I prefer to feel like I am more in nature so like to walk in parks with lots of trees and in some of the quieter beach areas. This is the time of year that I can enjoy the outdoors because it is a pleasure.

The heat this summer has been brutal. I have taken short walks with my friend and her dogs. The dogs didn’t seem to mind the heat. Now that the temperature is cooler our walks are longer. It’s a great way to begin and end the day.

I do like to take walks, but during the pandemic, those walks became more important. It was my chance to get out of the house, and have some time alone, get some sunshine. It's interesting to me how dependent we are on our cars here in the US, compared to other countries (and people who live in big cities like NYC) walk so much more.