[Harumanbo Harucheonja] "The Important Thing Is 'Consistency'... Walking Just 5 Minutes a Day Eliminates Stress"

Dr. Lee Si-hyung, who introduced Viktor Frankl's 'Logotherapy' in Korea
Nothing beats walking for mental and physical health
Walking 15 minutes boosts happiness hormone 'serotonin' to its peak
The hardest part is 'continuity'; a 5-minute daily walking habit greatly helps

Dr. Lee Si-hyung was the first to introduce the psychiatry of Viktor Frankl, who survived the Nazi Jewish concentration camps, to Korea. He first encountered Viktor Frankl's theory during the Korean War in Daegu. At a street stall in the middle of Jungang-dong, he came across the Japanese edition of Viktor Frankl's book and immediately became engrossed in it. "There was a surprising idea that saves people inside." At a time when Freudian psychiatry dominated worldwide and psychiatry itself was almost nonexistent in Korea, Viktor Frankl's "logotherapy," which means "discovering the meaning of life and finding answers on one's own," was a fresh shock. After studying psychiatry in the United States, he introduced Viktor Frankl's "logotherapy" to Korea, awakening the meaning of life for many and healing their minds.

There are various methods for logotherapy, but Dr. Lee emphasizes walking above all. He says the rhythm and intensity are just right to stimulate the brain, making it excellent for mental and physical health. Dr. Lee explains, "You won't believe it, but just walking for five minutes makes you happier. This is a scientifically proven conclusion. Morning walks are even better, and lunchtime walks are fine too. Just walk for five minutes. If you pay attention to the cool breeze brushing your cheeks, the blue sky, the dazzling sun, the rustling leaves, and the cicadas' sounds while walking, the cerebral cortex function is suppressed, and all worries and stress temporarily fade away."

Dr. Lee Si-hyung, president of the Korean Society of Meaning Therapy, director of the Serotonin Culture Center, and head of various health-related organizations, is an eternal active physician who has published over 120 books. Recently, he stood in front of a bookshelf displaying his works at the Healing Campus The Gonggam's book cafe, which recently relocated its office. Photo by Younghan Heo younghan@

To those skeptical about the effectiveness of such an easy method, he says, "The brain cannot focus on two things at once. When every cell feels refreshed by the cool breeze brushing your cheeks, there is no way other thoughts can arise at that moment," adding, "The term 'meditative walking' is used because this state is not much different from the state of meditation."

In fact, he recommends "Socrates Walking" to clients who visit him. Instead of just walking, he suggests walking with a specific theme in mind. He says, "Put the problem at hand in your head and try walking. You can even carry a notebook and pen. While walking, a 'linking' effect beneficial for problem-solving and creative thinking occurs. In neuroscience, this is called Chain Association. Hints trigger a chain reaction that eventually leads to a solution." He explained that pacing back and forth when troubled is for this reason.

Dr. Lee emphasizes walking also because the times are moving toward mental impoverishment. Although material conditions have improved, mental poverty has increased. He recalls, "Among my patients was someone who considered himself a millionaire, but as he received treatment and improved, he said, 'Doctor, why am I no longer crazy?' At that moment, I felt truly eerie." He added, "However, he stopped coming afterward, and I think he might have made a wrong choice. Mental health is really important now."

This is also why Dr. Lee recommends "Serotonin Walking" to his clients. The walking method is simple. Walk with slightly longer strides and a pace a bit faster than usual. Keep your chest open and your back straight. Breathe out three times into your lower abdomen and inhale once, focusing your attention on the wind and the sound of fallen leaves. Listening to serotonin music (available for free download on the Serotonin Culture website) to aid concentration is also a good method. Dr. Lee explains, "If you walk like this for just five minutes, serotonin, the happiness chemical, is secreted, and it peaks after 15 minutes."

Dr. Lee Si-hyung, president of the Korean Society of Meaning Therapy, director of the Serotonin Cultural Center, and head of health-related organizations, has published over 120 books. Photo by Younghan Heo younghan@

Dr. Lee often walks along the Deoksugung Stone Wall Road. The route starts near Inwangsan Mountain, continues to Independence Gate and the walls of Gyeonghuigung Palace, circles around Deoksugung Stone Wall Road, and ends in front of City Hall. He says, "I think this path used to pass through Jingogae and lead to Namsan Saennimgol. In the past, at night, tigers roamed Inwangsan Mountain, and woodcutters probably followed this path to Namsan Saennimgol." He adds, "When I walk lost in various thoughts, I feel that the small pains of the present are nothing in the long journey of history."

This path is also a path of creativity for Dr. Lee. He shares, "When I stroll along this path, brilliant ideas suddenly come to me. After having a cup of coffee at the Plaza Hotel, walking past City Hall Square and looking at Cheonggyecheon Stream, then stopping by Kyobo Bookstore to browse the spacious store, my intellectual curiosity is stirred."

Dr. Lee emphasizes good habits as the secret to health. He says, "There is preventive medicine in psychiatry, and in fact, all the good prescriptions are already out there. But the hardest part is 'continuing.' If you eat less and exercise consistently, you can improve, but people fail to keep this up." He points out, "Usually, it takes about nine months to treat depression, and exercise habits are more important than medication. But most people stop once they feel a little better. Koreans are the worst at continuing (sustaining)." He advises that just focusing on your senses for more than five minutes a day and walking steadily can protect your mental health.

Finally, Dr. Lee says, "I am 90 years old, and when I meet my classmates, they all say, 'I never thought I would live this long.'" He advises, "Two important factors for happiness in old age are financial stability and health. I don't know about financial stability, but health can be achieved through effort. You need to develop an exercise habit."