Walk it out

Having a conflict with someone? Walk it out. That's the suggestion from a social psychology paper I like by three Columbia psychology professors.* Why would this work?

 

First, there are the intrapersonal benefits of walking. People evolved to think on our feet, so we generate more creative ideas while moving. History is full of stories of authors, scientists, and philosophers (like Darwin, Kierkegaard, and Thoreau) who professed to formulate their best ideas while walking. Nietzsche famously said that "all truly great thoughts are conceived by walking." How many times have you been stuck on a problem and hit on the solution after getting up and moving around? The authors cite various studies finding, for example, that participants were much more likely to generate novel, high-quality analogies when walking compared to sitting. That counteracts the narrowing of vision created by conflict. In addition, other studies have found that physical activity increases positive affect and lowers stress. If you're in a better mood and less stressed out, then you're going to be more receptive to working through conflict.

 

Second, there are the interpersonal benefits of walking. These include that walking side-by-side necessarily involves some coordination of rhythms, which can result in a synchrony of steps. And research has shown that coordinated movement acts as social glue, increasing, among other things, connectedness and partner empathy, two very useful things in working through conflict. Walking side-by-side is also a less adversarial posture than staring across a table at each other while seated, which is how attempts at working through interpersonal conflict often play out. And not only are you not staring each other down in a face-to-face competitive stance, but walking side-by-side also focuses your joint attention on your physical environment. Studies have found that such shared attention results in more cooperation, which is something ingrained in us from childhood. Plus, there is the literal, embodied feeling of "moving" toward a resolution together.

 

All in all, it seems like it's worth a try to work out your problems with someone on the move, instead of seated at a table feeling you're engaged in mortal combat. Bonus points if you walk in a natural setting, with all the extra good feelings engendered by being out in nature.

 

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*Webb, Christine E., Rossignac-Milon, & Higgins, E. Tory (2017). Stepping Forward Together: Could Walking Facilitate Interpersonal Conflict Resolution? American Psychologist, 72, 374-385.

 

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I'm looking to increase my hemoglobin level, which is slightly below the normal range and may be causing some fatigue and is generally bad for running anyway. I eat pretty much all of the vegetarian foods that are high in iron, so it may be time to start increasing my miserly meat intake again. I've made these turkey meatballs a few times now. They're easy and pretty tasty, especially when I made a salmoriglio (Sicilian oregano) sauce to dip them in. 

Turkey Meatballs

Adapted from Run Fast. Cook Fast. Eat Slow. (2018) by Shalane Flanagan and Elyse Kopecky via Minnesota Parent and Runner’s World (July 18, 2018)

Time: ~1 hour total

1 large egg
1 pound organic ground turkey (no more than 92% lean)
33 grams (⅓ cup) almond or oat flour
25 grams (~½ cup) finely grated Parmesan
2 tablespoons minced fresh Italian parsley
½ teaspoon fine sea salt
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon fennel seeds (optional)
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

    1. Place a rack in the center of the oven; heat to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    2. Crack the egg into a large bowl, and whisk to break it up a bit.
    3. Add the rest of the ingredients. Using your hands, combine gently but thoroughly. Let rest on the counter for 15 minutes.
    4. Form golf-ball size (~1½ tablespoons each) meatballs onto the baking sheet. You can do this with moist hands or a #40 disher/cookie scoop; if using a scoop, spray with Pam first.
    5. Bake until golden brown, about 20 to 25 minutes. Make sure they’re cooked through, but try not to overbake or they’ll be dry and tough. Let them cool on the baking sheet for at least 5 minutes, then transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Makes ~20 meatballs.