The Underrated Power of a Good Walk
Here in Montana, our favorite wellness routine isn’t fancy. It’s a walk.
Most days, you’ll find us out with our two dogs, wandering a trail or looping the neighborhood. No fitness tracker goals. No training plan. Just fresh air, good conversation and two very happy dogs.
After years of guiding big backpacking trips, we’ve come to appreciate the humble walk more than ever. Here’s why.
Why Walking Is So Good for You
Walking might be the most underrated wellness habit out there. It’s free, low-impact and something most of us can do almost anywhere. Many people find a regular walk helps them:
Clear their head. Problems tend to untangle themselves somewhere around minute 15.
Boost their mood. Movement plus fresh air is a pretty great combination.
Sleep better after a day that included time outside.
Feel more connected, to nature, to their neighborhood or to whoever is walking beside them.
Move their body gently, without the pressure of a workout.
Different Walks for Different Days
Not every walk needs to look the same:
The thinking walk: Solo, no headphones. Let your thoughts wander.
The catch-up walk: With a friend or partner. Some of the best conversations happen side by side.
The dog walk: Non-negotiable, and secretly the best part of the day.
The noticing walk: Slow down and pay attention to sounds, smells and small details you’d usually miss.
The “I need to get out of the house” walk: Even ten minutes counts.
How to Make It a Habit
Attach it to something you already do, like after breakfast, during a lunch break or after dinner.
Start small. Ten minutes is a great start.
Leave your phone in your pocket, or at home if you can.
Walk in any weather. As Montanans, we can confirm there’s no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong jacket.
Invite someone. Walking dates beat coffee dates more often than you’d think.
Walking in Baja
Walking takes on a different feel by the ocean.
During Baja Soul Sanctuary, our all-ladies retreat at Yandara in Baja California Sur, there’s plenty of time for slow beach walks: early mornings with a cup of coffee, quiet afternoons, and sunset strolls as the sky lights up over the Pacific. And on our day trip to Todos Santos, you’ll get to wander the colorful streets, galleries and shops of this artsy Pueblo Mágico at your own pace.
It’s all paired with daily yoga and breathwork, nourishing meals and plenty of time to rest.
Baja Soul Sanctuary: A Mindful Women’s Retreat
March 28 – April 3, 2027
Yandara, Baja California Sur, Mexico
$3,900 USD
Small group, max 17 guests
-Sally with Waypoint
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