The Beauty of a Walk

by Wendy Warner, LPC, NCC

Wendy Warner is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in private practice at Trinity Family Counseling Center. In addition to working with couples, children, and individuals, Wendy also enjoys teaching the premarital classes for all couples planning to marry at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Macomb.

Sometimes the best approaches are the simple ones. In this busy world of couples trying to find time to connect, go on a date night, improve intimacy or even plan the family calendar, there is nothing like taking a walk together to accomplish all of the above.

My husband’s parents took a walk almost every day of their 64 years together.  I’m sure it had something to do with them maintaining good health into their old age.  It also contributes to the health of a relationship, so we have taken to walks after dinner ourselves.

There is an intimacy to a walk within a couple that feels different from the same conversation in the house.  We know it is just us, and it is nice to talk about whatever we want without being interrupted or overheard by our kids.  A walk provides a distraction free environment from TV, computers and ideally phones (if you agree not to respond to it when it buzzes in your pocket).  The best part is the relaxed time together to discuss whatever might be on your mind.  I am usually bursting with at least two topics, but by the halfway point I ask my husband about his day, follow up on something important to him and draw him into the sharing process too.

The beauty of a walk is that we have invested regularly in sharing our thoughts, concerns, plans, highs and lows, and we feel connected. Sometimes we even hold hands.