that if you live near the scenic western coasts of England, you’re nine
times more likely to exercise than other people, even after adjusting
for income. As the epidemiologist Ian Alcock put it, if you want to be
happy, there is a simple, scientific formula: “get married, get a job
and live near the coast.”
Parsing the research apart further, if you are depressed or anxious,
social walking in nature boosts your mood, assuming you’re walking
with people you like; if you want to solve problems in your life, self-
reflect and jolt your creativity, it’s better to go alone, in a safe place.
I find myself most drawn to the fate of the solo walker, because I
tend to be one. I love a good hike with a friend, but I consider it a
gabfest more than anything. I’m protective of my solo walking time
precisely because I have found it to be so helpful in solving problems,
personal and otherwise. What is it about that peculiar synergy of
walking plus nature? Being in Scotland got me thinking about
Wordsworth, creativity and the essence of imagination. Walking lies
at the heart of it. Although these topics remain somewhat mysterious
to neuroscientists, the poets can offer some assistance.