This one takes me back to my school trips hiking as a youth…. and, yes… singing
★★★Take a walk and sing as you stride★★★
Well! When first reading the title of the chapter, my mind did go to those hiking trips where a group of 20-something kids, 9-12 years old, would sing at the top of their lungs as they hiked through the German forests. Memories of thickly buttered bread, youth hostels on mountainsides overlooking the Rhine river and washing up in industry-scale common kitchens. (And In that kitchen? Best hot chocolate ever!!!)
Does this still happen, I wonder? I’m not sure. And it’s a shame.
But back to singing.
Annabel Street provides us with facts:
- Singing while walking has been used by marching soldiers, hiking schoolchildren (aha, that’s me), dissenting protesters and weary families.
- Singing helps us climb mountains!
- Singing dulls pain.
- Singing regulates and optimises our breathing.
- Singing improves our posture.
- Singing is aerobic and it pumps oxygen into the blood.
- Singing strangely improves our immune system.
- Singing relaxes us.
- Singing produces endorphins and makes us happier.
- Singing with others makes us pay attention to others, increasing a trust response.
- Singing while walking optimises rehabilitation for Parkinson or stroke patients.
And what keeps us from singing on our walks? An inhibition circuit in our brain makes us ‘behave appropriately’ by heightening our sense of self-consciousness, which happens to be able to be shut down by alcohol. A travel flask of whiskey suddenly makes so much more sense!
So does Annabel Street have any tips for us, besides taking a swig whilst taking a singing hike?
- Sing in groups
- Chose the right tempo
- Chose a themed walking song
- Don’t expect to see wildlife (you think?)
- And turn it down when encountering other walkers.
So there you have it.
So who is courageous enough to have a go at singing whilst walking?
☆☆☆ Let us know by posting here on our Active10 forum using the hashtag #SingWalk” in your title ☆☆☆
So, this months:
★★★Take a walk and sing as you stride★★★
A growing Spotify list of songs for striding, as recommended by the community: open.spotify.com/playlist/1...
Readings from
Annabel Street (2021): 52 ways to walk. The surprising signs of walking for wellness and joy, one week at a time. Chapter 247 : Sing as you stride.
