Taking a turn about the room - simple daily routine with great benefits
So if you are anything like me, you’ve watched Joe Wright’s Pride and Prejudice more times than you can count. And if you have, then that glorious scene where Mr. Darcy says an accomplished woman reads extensively and Lizzy shuts her book immediately, has a permanent plot in your mind. I’ve been thinking about this scene a lot, specifically Caroline asking Lizzy to take a turn about the room and the conversation that this ignites. Why, you may wonder. Well because I have started taking turns about the room. Multiple a day in fact.
And I am here to add to the conversation and let Mr. Darcy know there are other reason one might take a turn about the room besides wanting to show off ones figure. Below are my points:
Ayurveda
I first implemented this practice after reading this blog post on Athreya herbs where Vaidya. Jay Parla recommends walking after every meal. The article states that when constipated, “Movement is Medicine” but it can also be preventative. Constipation is a Kapha inbalance and movement can bring balance back. “When you sit right after eating, you tell your system to store, not release. And that creates a backlog—not just in digestion, but in your energy and clarity too.”
Even a few minutes of walking can support regular digestion, ease constipation, and boost overall clarity and energy. Movement tells your system it’s time to process and release. Additionally, according to Ayurveda, sitting still for long hours can lead to ama (toxins) in the body. One of the simplest ways to counter this is by gently rekindling your digestive fire (agni) with a short walk after meals, which tells your gut “wake up” and get to work.
Other potential benefits
Walking after meals can also help lower blood sugar levels, contribute to reduced blood pressure, and support overall heart health. And if you turn it into a walking meditation, it may even help lower cortisol and calm the nervous system.
Steps Walking snacks add up. I am not a wearables person so I can’t say how many steps I’m getting. But if, lets say one turn about the room ranges from 1500 - 2500(depending on pace), three 15 or 20 minutes turns add up to an average of 6000 steps. And if you work at a desk, mostly sitting like me, it is just nice to step away.
Weather Proof Okay, yeah but why in doors? Outdoors, fresh air, nature, superior. Agreed, but there are no barriers when all you have to do is get up and walk around your space. Rain, or snow, or the brutal summer heat can’t keep you from moving.
(a note on treadmills and walking pads — I started this practice by walking on the treadmill in the basement and my left knee, hip and ankle joint became sore/inflamed. This is normal for me and why I prefer the stair master at the gym. I can walk for hours touring a city or hiking in the woods or up tall mountains and have no problems but flat stationary walking machines for some reason cause injuries, cannot tell you why. But rather than give up this new routine (walking outside in the summer heat was not happening) I began taking turns around the room.)
My routine: After every meal, I immediately get up, rinse my plate, tell google to set a 15 or 20 minute timer, sometimes(most often than not), I grab a book (currently reading Bury Our Bones in Midnight Soil) and walk — from the kitchen to the dinning room to the living room, round and round and round until the timer goes off. I recognize that this is perk of working from home, one that I am so grateful for.
Hopefully it goes without saying, but if you decide to try this, listen to your body and your personal health care professionals.
Thanks for being here :)
