Jonah Patel
Taking a constitutional refers to the act of going for a walk, usually for health benefits. The phrase is more common in British literature than in American letters. The phrase originated among the British upper classes as a way to get exercise, as the nobility wouldn't normally engage in physical labor. By the early twentieth century, American commentators were expressing concern about their countrymen's unhealthy habits and urged them to adopt the British habit of taking a constitutional walk. Research has shown that taking a walk can improve one's mood, boost concentration and memory, and provide various other health benefits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | British upper classes |
| Purpose | Exercise |
| Synonyms | Wellness, pedestrianism |
| Benefits | Improved mood, better health, improved productivity, improved memory, longer life, improved eyesight, improved appetite, improved mental power |
| History | References in literature as early as the mid-19th century |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
A constitutional walk is good for your health
The benefits of a constitutional walk were recognised as early as the mid-19th century. An essay titled "Walking as an Exercise", published in the Boston-based journal "The New England Farmer" in 1859, encouraged Americans to adopt the practice of taking a "constitutional walk", suggesting that it would lead to increased muscle strength and improved digestion.
The idea of taking a daily walk for health reasons has been a topic of discussion for quite some time, with similar sentiments expressed in the early 20th century. Author Claude Powell Fordyce, in his book "Touring afoot" (1916), advocated for walking as a way to overcome the "unnatural and perplexing conditions" of urban life.
Research supports the notion that taking a walk can indeed improve your physical and mental health. A 2015 study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports found that taking an afternoon walk can enhance your mood, making you feel more enthusiastic and relaxed. Additionally, walking improves blood flow, which boosts concentration in the short term and enhances memory in the long term.
So, if you want to live longer, feel happier, improve your eye health, and boost your overall well-being, incorporating a constitutional walk into your daily routine is a great idea.
Reserved Powers: Why They're Vital to the US Constitution
You may want to see also
The phrase originated in Britain
The phrase "constitutional walk" originated in Britain and was used to refer to a short walk taken for the benefit of one's health. The phrase was more common in British literature than in American literature. The British nobility, who typically did not engage in much physical labour beyond activities such as fox hunting and dressing for dinners, took up this practice as a pleasant way to stay fit.
In the 19th century, American commentators noticed that their countrymen were becoming increasingly sedentary and unhealthy. They urged Americans to adopt the British habit of taking a "constitutional walk" to improve their health and well-being. This sentiment was expressed in an essay titled "Walking as an Exercise," originally printed in the Philadelphia Gazette and reprinted in the New England Farmer in 1859.
The essay encouraged Americans to follow the example of "John Bull," a personification of the United Kingdom, and take up walking as a form of exercise. The author suggested that walking would bring about physical benefits such as increased muscle strength and the reduction of dyspepsia (indigestion).
The practice of taking a constitutional walk was also advocated by author Claude Powell Fordyce in his book "Touring afoot" published in 1916. He recommended walking as a way to overcome the "unnatural and perplexing conditions" of urban life.
The phrase "constitutional walk" continues to be associated with the idea of taking a brisk walk to improve one's physical and mental health, and it remains a part of British and American cultural discourse.
John Adams' Constitution: His Vision and Beliefs
You may want to see also
It was initially associated with the upper classes
The phrase "constitutional walk" is more common in British literature than in American letters. As early as the mid-19th century, American writers were concerned that their countrymen were becoming lazy and unhealthy and urged them to take up walking. One such essay, "Walking as an Exercise," printed in the Philadelphia Gazette in 1859, encouraged people in farm areas to take up walking. The writer argued that city dwellers, especially women, walked more than country ladies as they walked miles over pavements without thinking of the exertion.
The phrase "constitutional walk" originated among the British upper classes as a way to get exercise. The British nobility wouldn't normally do much everyday physical labor, so a brisk morning walk was touted as a necessary and pleasant way to keep fit. The idea was that if pedestrianism became universal, the present generation would be healthier and happier, and their children would be sturdier and more beautiful.
The phrase "constitutional walk" was also used by John Bull, a jolly personification of the United Kingdom, to refer to the benefits of walking for muscle strength and to banish dyspepsia (indigestion). By the early 20th century, some American commentators and editorial writers were expressing similar concerns about Americans' health and encouraged them to adopt the British habit of taking a daily constitutional walk.
The concept of a "constitutional walk" has been associated with the upper classes, particularly in its early usage, due to the perception that it was a practice adopted by the nobility and the upper classes in British and American society. It was seen as a way to distinguish themselves from the working classes, who may have associated it with a sense of "feigned poshness."
Vital Constitutional Features: Understanding the Foundation of Governance
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It can improve your mood
The phrase "constitutional walk" is more common in British literature than in American letters. It originated among the British upper classes as a way to get exercise. The British nobility wouldn't normally do much everyday physical labour, so a brisk morning walk was touted as a necessary and pleasant way to keep fit.
The phrase was first used in an essay called "Walking as an Exercise", which was printed in the Philadelphia Gazette and reprinted in the New England Farmer in 1859. The essay urged people to take up walking, arguing that they would gain in strength of muscle, and banish or diminish the common complaint, dyspepsia".
Taking a constitutional walk can indeed improve your mood. A 2015 study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports found that hour-to-hour moods can be improved with the help of an afternoon walk. Researchers at the University of Birmingham had two groups—walkers and non-walkers—record their attitudes in real time over several weeks. The walkers who took afternoon strolls were more enthusiastic and relaxed than the non-walkers and were more likely to associate positive emotions with the days that they walked.
Additionally, taking a walk for just 30 minutes a day can make you happier. A relaxed attitude is related to improvements in work productivity. Findings presented at Experimental Biology 2017 connected the impact of a foot pressing against the ground to increased blood flow to the brain, which boosts concentration in the short term and memory in the long term.
Who Leads a Cabinet Department? Understanding Key Roles
You may want to see also
It can make you feel more relaxed
Taking a walk can make you feel more relaxed. A 2015 study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports found that walkers who took afternoon strolls were more enthusiastic and relaxed than non-walkers. They were also more likely to associate positive emotions with the days that they walked.
The phrase "constitutional walk" dates back to the mid-19th century when American commentators noticed their countrymen were becoming lazy and unhealthy. They urged their readers to adopt the British habit of taking a "constitutional walk" every day, believing it would improve their strength and banish dyspepsia (indigestion).
The idea of a daily walk for health reasons is also supported by more recent sources. One source recommends walking for 30 minutes a day to improve your mood, increase happiness, and improve eye health. Another source claims that walking boosts concentration in the short term and memory in the long term.
The "constitutional walk" is often associated with the British upper classes, who historically did not engage in much physical labor. For them, a brisk morning walk was a necessary and pleasant way to stay fit.
The Masters of the Constitution: Who Are They?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
"Constitutional" refers to something that is good for your constitution, i.e. your health.
The phrase "constitutional walk" originated among the British upper classes as a way to get exercise. It was then promoted by American commentators in the mid-19th century, who were concerned that their countrymen were becoming lazy and unhealthy.
Taking a constitutional walk is good for your physical and mental health. It can improve your mood, boost concentration and memory, and increase productivity. It can also help to improve your overall strength and stability.
