The annual celebration of World Sauntering Day on June 19 may seem like a pointless holiday. But it is one of those rare occasions when our behavior and way of life can genuinely change.
World Sauntering Day – Meaning, History and Significance
The reality is that we live in a fast-moving, technologically advanced society where those who can’t keep up with the pace have nowhere to go. So many of us end up becoming lost in the busy world and jeopardizing our ability to maintain our mental tranquility. World Sauntering Day, on the other hand, challenges us to stop, take a deep breath, and discover how to savor life. Let’s explore everything that the day has in store!
World Sauntering Day โ A little bit on its history
Let’s look at the definition of sauntering before we discuss the history of the particular day. According to the Oxford Dictionary definition, to saunter is to move slowly and unhurriedly, as though one has all the time in the world. The French are the ones who came up with the name “saunter,” which is derived from “Saint Terre.”
In the 1970s, World Sauntering Day was established as a festival to honor this concept. W.T. Rabe, a publicist who worked for the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, was the one who came up with the idea for the event. Why, you may ask? To combat the jogging craze that had swept the United States.
Although jogging has many health advantages, Rabe’s goal was to spread the notion of taking time to stop and observe our surroundings. Yes, jogging may give us a running high, but it is a fast-paced activity, but simply unwinding and taking in the surroundings has many advantages of its own. The primary purpose of sauntering, according to Rabe’s son, is to saunter from point A to point B without thinking about the logistics. It conveys the message that “You don’t care about where you’re going, how you’re getting there, or how you’re getting there” The secret to the ideal sauntering voyage is to meander aimlessly and take in the scenery. Is it time for you to make a donation at this time?
How Sauntering Day originated?
In order to combat the Saunter’s archenemy, jogging, W.T. Rabe created this holiday in 1979. Fun fact: John Rabe, his son, hosts All Things Considered at KPCC in Pasadena. On Mackinac Island in Michigan, the Grand Hotel is where it is believed to have begun. The hotel contains the world’s longest porch, which is a whopping 660 feet long (200 meters if you want to use meters). The goal of the day was to encourage people to slow down a bit and pay closer attention to their surroundings. He served as the Grand Hotel’s press relations office as well, so it was great publicity for them!
Sauntering is defined as “to walk along in a slow and relaxed manner.” The word’s most likely etymological root is the Middle English verb santren, which means “to muse.”
‘Sauntering, as my father would say, is traveling from point X to point Z, which implies you don’t care where you’re going, how you’re there, or when you might get there,’ said Rabe’s son to journalists in 2002. He explained that the aim was to take time to notice your surroundings and to stop and smell the roses.
He believed that jogging was an arduous assault on the body. Rapidity and effort made each step as painful as possible, draining all the joy out of the movement. Sauntering is the art of moving freely from one place to another.
Rabe amassed a sizable following over time. Others started to see he was on to something. Professionals in heart health may have advised jogging, but it was depleting people’s delight. Where was the enjoyment of the exercise? Where was the calmness?
Sauntering is more than simply walking as you would if you were going to work. It includes the notion that you no longer carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. You can concentrate on the unadulterated delight of the deed while walking stress- and effort-free. It is the complete opposite of jogging, which is a difficult activity that deprives you of experiencing the outside world. It has a more contemplative and peaceful feel. You have the chance to experience life fully rather than feeling tired and puffed out.
World Sauntering Day โ How should you celebrate it?
Today, give yourself plenty of time with the goal of unwinding and genuinely enjoying your travels to wherever it is you need to go. Enjoy a leisurely stroll while taking in the sights and smells. Don’t let other people’s drive to move swiftly influence your own by greeting them. In fact, try to get them to slow down and stroll alongside you as you are having a good time. You’ll be happier for it, and the world will be a better place. On World Sauntering Day, you can take a break from the hustle and bustle and simply “saunter” through your day.
You can also participate in the following activities to mark World Sauntering Day:
- Going for a walk at the park or around your neighborhood during your lunch break
- Leaving the bus, rail, or metro a stop or two early and strolling the remaining distance to your destination slowly.
- Go to your neighborhood coffee shop and relax there while sipping on a nice cup of coffee and taking in the scenery.
- You can unwind at home if you are unable to go for a walk. Sauntering fits perfectly with the Scandinavian and Danish concepts of hygge. Without external pressures of any kind, you are free to enjoy moments of contentment in your life.
DID YOU KNOW: Walking a mile in 20 minutes would take you nearly 225 million years to travel one light-year?
On World Sauntering Day, keep the following in mind as you stroll slowly:
Should your purpose in life be to be busy? Is going from one activity to another all day long without stopping to reflect truly what you want out of life? Most likely not!
Take a minute to stop or slow down to mark World Sauntering Day. You might notice things you wouldn’t have noticed otherwise, such as the birds singing, the flowers blooming, or your soul mate walking by you on the street, in addition to feeling more energized.
Benefits of Slowing Down in Life
Living at a slower pace or without rushing offers several advantages. It is very beneficial to our mental wellness. Here is a summary of several advantages of slowing down in life.
- Improved Sleep and Immunity – You naturally get a better night’s sleep when you aren’t constantly in a hurry, which in turn strengthens your immunity.
- Lessened Levels of Stress – One of the main causes of stress is the fast-paced modern lifestyle. Therefore, your stress level automatically decreases as you slow down.
- Better Personal Relationships – When you stay out of the rat race, you begin to value more important things, like spending quality time with loved ones. You can develop deeper social bonds by moving more slowly.
- Mental Clarity – Slowing down enables us to focus and pay attention to minute details. In any case, what good is rushing if you are going the wrong way? Clear thinking helps you make better decisions.
- Physical Health Improvements: An outcome of a relaxed lifestyle and relaxed mind is improved physical health. You begin to prefer healthy lifestyle options like freshly prepared meals to fast or junk food.
