After the experience burn out in 2017 due to overwork, I turned to long daily walks in nature as a form of recovery. This simple yet profound activity has since become an integral part of my routine, not only helping my personal health, but also significantly benefiting my business.

In this article, I'll share the most valuable insights I've gained by making daily walks a cornerstone of my lifestyle and how it has positively impacted my business.

Now, I'm going to walk you through my top six points for inclusion daily walks it has transformed not only my health, but the way I do business.

Connected: 3 reasons why walking increases creativity

1. Generating ideas

One of the most transformative benefits of my daily walks has been the increased creativity they have sparked, leading to some of my brightest ideas. For example, the names of my two blogs, thrivemyway.com and createandgrow.com, both conceived during these peaceful walks. This phenomenon is not just a personal experience; is supported by research. A Stanford University STUDY found that participants' creative productivity increased by an astonishing 60% while they were walking. This shows that the simple act of walking can be a powerful catalyst for generating ideas, even in the most unlikely of environments.

2. Improving cognitive function

This is our ability to think, learn and remember clearly. Beyond sparking creativity, daily walks significantly improve cognitive function — our ability to think clearly, learn new information, and retain memories. Engaging in regular physical activity, such as walking, has been shown to increase blood flow to the brain, promoting nerve growth and reducing the risk of cognitive decline with age. This improvement in brain health is essential for entrepreneurs and business professionals, who rely on sharp cognitive skills to make decisions, solve problems and innovate.

Including walking in your daily routine It can thus be seen as an investment in the long-term performance of your brain, ensuring that your mental faculties remain strong and agile, ready to tackle the challenges and opportunities that come your way.

3. Vitamin D and productivity

Adopting daily walking habits has significantly increased my productivity in two different ways. Initially, the anticipation of daily walks motivated me to complete tasks more efficiently, avoiding the tendency to stretch them unnecessarily. Most importantly, there is a scientific basis for this increasing productivity. Regular walking not only refreshes the mind, but also enhances cognitive functions, allowing for faster problem solving and better task management. This habit has transformed the way I approach my work, making my daily routine not only more structured, but inherently more productive.

This research shows that Vitamin D significantly affects work productivity. Studying over 10,000 healthcare workers, it found that those with vitamin D levels above 40 ng/mL were more productive than those below 20 ng/mL, who had lower energy, focus and ability to complete tasks. This underscores the importance of vitamin D for physical and cognitive health at work.

Therefore, to increase productivity, it is essential to maintain adequate levels of vitamin D. Being outside even on a cloudy day can provide more vitamin D than staying indoors and relying on sunlight from a window.

Connected: Here's how you can set up a healthy walking plan

4. Creating a draft for an article (via voice-to-text)

Creating articles represents one of the primary tasks on which I allocate my time. Indeed, the article writing process becomes much simpler with a well-structured outline and a clear topic in mind. I have adopted the practice of using voice notes to outline articles. After pressing the record button, I take five minutes to verbally describe all the elements I want to cover in the article.

It is quite impressive to notice the uninterrupted flow of thought and speech when you are moving, in stark contrast to the obstacles you encounter when sitting.

5. Listening to audio books and podcasts

Including Audio books and podcasts in my routine have been a transformative experience, especially during my daily walks. This habit has allowed me to delve into a wide range of topics, from business strategies to personal development, all while staying active. The beauty of audiobooks lies in their ability to turn walking time into a dual-purpose activity: Not only do I get the physical benefits of exercise, but I also engage my mind in learning and inspiration.

6. Online dating

I've always had a preference for in-person interactions, finding that, in many cases, online meetings can be efficiently replaced by an email or a short Loom video. However, I admit that this is a personal preference and I understand that many people thrive online dating as their main mode of communication and cooperation. To fit in and make sure I was still working effectively, I started scheduling my appointments online during my walks outside. This arrangement has not only allowed me to maintain my walking routine, but also to engage in necessary digital interactions. With the arrival of 5G technologyInternet connection worries have become a thing of the past, making it possible to connect and chat seamlessly while enjoying the outdoors.

Connected: How entrepreneurs can increase their flow and increase creativity and productivity

In conclusion, integrating daily walks into my routine has not only been a journey of personal health and creativity, but also a strategic fit to improve my business processes. From generating innovative ideas and improving cognitive function to listening to audiobooks and business podcastsand even rethinking the way I conduct online meetings – every step taken outside has contributed significantly to my professional success and well-being.