I recently visited my lovely village, Tral, in the Kashmir Valley. The beautiful scenery and fresh mountain air made me want to get back into a simple yet effective habit: morning walks. It turned into something I couldn’t afford to miss. The weather was nice. It was sunny sometimes, but most of the time it was chilly and calming, which made each morning feel like a gift.
I kept this up for many days, and each walk gave me a chance to move my body and think deeply. I thought there would be a lot of people out on morning walks, but there weren’t. It seemed strange and worrying that the roads were so peaceful and nearly empty. I chose Dadrasa Road on the first day. I was surprised to see that only a few people were walking. The road was quiet, which was nice, but it also made me think that people were starting to lose interest in this beneficial activity.
The next day, I strolled along Nowdal Road. The splendor of nature was amazing—the green fields with mustard blossom, the fresh breeze, and the quiet surroundings. But this event wasn’t without its worries. I was always afraid of stray dogs, so I was always careful when walking. One of these mornings, one uncle, joined me. He is a wise person. He said that fewer people go for walks when the weather is bad, like when it’s a little cold or gloomy. He also showed me the stick he carries with him all the time to keep stray dogs away.
He also said that on the tiny Nowdal road, where cars go quickly, people should walk on the other side. This makes it easier to see cars coming from the other direction and makes you feel more in control and safe. His realistic approach showed that he has been there before and showed the real problems people face. I walked down Diver Road and Kahleel Road for the next few days. Once more, there weren’t many people walking. This observation made me quite worried.
It’s disturbing that so few people are going for morning walks when newspapers are full of scary stories about lifestyle disorders like obesity, diabetes, and heart problems. More and more people are living sedentary lives, and even a small change in the weather can keep individuals from going outside. But can a small bit of cloudiness really be a good reason to ignore our health? This question is much more relevant when we consider today’s kids. Kids learn by watching grown-ups.
If we don’t make exercise a priority, they will too. Our kids are slowly getting used to being inactive, using electronics, and living indoors. If this keeps up, it could lead to serious health problems in the future. So, it’s not only up to individuals; families and society as a whole are also responsible. People need to know that health is something they need to work on every day.
Communities need to stress the importance of understanding the benefits of walking, such as better heart and mental health, and greater vitality. The role of elders is also very important. They can serve as role models and sources of inspiration, encouraging younger people to make healthy choices. But just doing things on your own isn’t enough. Government and policymakers have a significant role in making the world a better place for people to live healthy lives. Safety and infrastructure are very important.
A lot of folks don’t want to walk because they’re afraid of stray animals, bad roads, or traffic. If you deal with these problems, more people may want to get involved. First, it is important to create separate pedestrian paths and walking tracks. Safe, well-kept paths may make walking comfortable for people of all ages. Second, greater illumination may ensure people’s safety in the early morning or late evening. Third, residents will be less afraid if stray dogs are managed effectively through humane, systematic measures.
Also, building little parks and green spaces in towns and villages can make a big difference. These areas can be places where fitness and nature come together. In a safe, refreshing place, people can walk, work out, and spend time with their families. Having police chowkis or regular patrols can make people feel even safer. Gyms and fitness centers are helpful and becoming more popular, but they can’t replace the feeling of being outside. The fresh air, natural surroundings, and quiet setting not only support the body but also the mind and emotions.
No indoor space can entirely copy the therapeutic influence of nature. Kashmir is wonderful and its mornings are invigorating, the air is clean, and the scenery is inspiring. But we often skip our morning or evening walks because we’re too busy, too cold, spend too much time on screens, or don’t know enough about our own health. It’s time to modify the way you think. We shouldn’t wait till we have health concerns to do something. Let’s do something right now: go outside, take a deep breath, and walk toward a happier and healthier existence.
The writer is Associate Professor, Department of Management, President Institution’s Innovation Council, ITM Gwalior and an IIMA (FDP) Alumnus. He is certified Business Consultant by AIMA and can be reached at dr.shahidamin15@gmail.com
