How Walking Becomes a Moving Meditation and Other Easy Wellness Hacks

Happy Book Lovers Day everyone! 9th of August. There is no easier or better wellness hack than smelling a book, especially a hard cover book, or a magazine that has been passed around your friend group. I am of course talking about physical books. It’s impossible to smell a digital book. Is it not?

I remembered how much I genuinely love walking this week. When the sun is not out to take your life, and you’re not exactly in a hurry to be anywhere, it’s one of the best things that you can do. Just stand up and MOVE YOUR BODY. Walking is a favorite pastime of mine. When you introduce music and cool air, it’s a love language. 

So, back to this week, I had some free time, and I decided to regularize some issues in some accounts that I have, and buy some snacks. It had just rained, my phone was fully charged, my wireless headset producing danceable tunes and the weather was cool, so I decided to dance and walk. I was in a very good mood and I was taking full advantage. I genuinely love being in a good mood. Problems melt away, you’re smiling more, which elevates your interactions, you’re more patient and life is just so much better.

Now, this week has felt like an answered prayer. Nothing much happened but a lot of things are going right, a lot of things are working out and that’s all I ask for. My phone was in my wallet, I looked ceuuute, smelled nice, and the beautiful smell of fresh rain filled the air, dispelling all funky smells. This, I thought, is what a moving meditation feels like. There’s a certain magic to it—not the kind of magic you find in fairy tales, but the kind that makes your shoulders drop, the frown on your face disappear, and the chaotic thoughts in your head find a quiet corner to sit and be still. It’s not about finding a quiet room and sitting cross-legged; it’s about finding the quiet in the movement. The rhythm of your feet on the pavement, the gentle swing of your arms, the focus on the music and nothing else—that’s your mantra.

And it’s completely free! You don’t need an expensive subscription, a special mat, or a fancy studio. You just need a pair of comfortable shoes and the willingness to move. This week, as I walked and danced my way through the streets, I was reminded that wellness isn’t always this grand, complicated thing. It’s not always about celery juice and punishing workout routines. It can be as simple as the quiet joy of a good walk, the smell of a book, or the silly happiness of dancing in public not caring one whit about who is around. Those are the wellness hacks that stick. They’re the ones you don’t have to force yourself to do because they feel good.

Speaking of easy wellness hacks that work and can be incorporated into your daily routine, I’ve been trying to bring more of these small, powerful practices into my everyday life. Here are a few that have made a surprising difference:

• Tapping: This one felt a little weird at first, but hear me out. When I’m stuck in traffic and can feel my blood pressure rising, I’ll lightly tap my fingertips on my collarbone or the side of my hand. It’s a trick from something called Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and it feels like it just… breaks the stress cycle. It’s a physical action that tells your brain, “Hey, we’re not panicking here.” You can do it discreetly in your car or even while waiting in line at the grocery store.

• Affirmations: I have spoken about affirmations here  before. But I want to talk about them some more because they are some of the single greatest actions you can take to rewire your Reticular Activating System. The thing that controls a majority of your life? To go from burnout to blessings, from rage to peace? Yeah, that thing. And I could talk about it some more here but how about I hand you over to an expert who’ll explain it better. 

• Cold Showers for the Vagus Nerve: I know, I know. It sounds dreadful, especially in this cold weather, speaking for people domiciled in Nigeria. But the vagus nerve is like your body’s chill-out button. A quick 30-second blast of cold water at the end of your shower is a serious jolt to the system, but it stimulates that nerve and tells your body to calm down. I’m not saying you have to bathe in ice water, but a small, brave moment of cold can do wonders for your mood and energy.

• The Power of a Deep Humming Sigh. This is probably the laziest and most effective hack I’ve found. It’s another vagus nerve trick. When you’re feeling tense, take a slow, deep breath in, and as you exhale, make a low hum or a long sigh. The vibrations and the slow exhale activate your parasympathetic nervous system. It’s literally a built-in stress reliever and it feels so good to just… let it out.

I have found that the simplest things are often the most profound. A cup of hot tea in a favorite mug. The way the sun hits the leaves just so in the early morning. A sudden, deep belly laugh with a friend. These tiny moments are like little deposits in your emotional bank account. You collect them, savor them, and they add up to a feeling of peace and contentment. It’s a gentle reminder to live in the present, to appreciate the now, and to stop chasing a feeling of “happiness” that always seems to be just around the corner. Because what I’ve learned is that it’s already here.