The Power of Distraction: How Multitasking Can Extend Your Walking Distance

By Julie D’Aloiso

I’ve discovered that multitasking while walking makes a huge difference in how far I can go. Whether I’m listening to music, podcasts, videos, or even talking to Claude about articles I’m planning to write, keeping my mind engaged transforms the whole experience.

Don’t get me wrong – I do enjoy quiet walks sometimes. But I’ve found that if I multitask during at least part of my walk, I can go much further. This is especially true during the second half, when I usually start getting tired and thinking things like “How much further?” or “Are we there yet?” When I’m multitasking instead, I suddenly realize I’ve reached the end without even noticing.

Thinking out loud into AI apps like Meta AI or Claude while walking has been surprisingly productive. If you don’t have those apps, just record your thoughts as you walk. What you might find will surprise you – it’s almost like ideas you have during a dream that disappear when you wake up. After your walk, you go home and end up forgetting that great idea you had.

The combination of moving and talking seems to unlock creative thinking in ways I didn’t expect. These walking brainstorming sessions often produce valuable insights, but without capturing them, I return home having lost potentially game-changing thoughts.

This strategy works best when I save the mental engagement for the second half of my walks, right when fatigue typically kicks in. By keeping podcasts, music, or phone conversations for these moments, I can push through barriers that might otherwise cut my exercise short.

By the way, my walks are up to 2 miles at a time now – not bad with a bum knee (see related article here). In the last 3 months I have lost 15 pounds. On rainy days I get on my indoor walking pad (see related article here).