I like to think I discovered the fact that stressed is desserts spelled backwards, even though I now see cookbooks with that title. I first wrote a piece using the phrase around 1995.

But let’s look at what it means. The immediate implication is that the cure for or proper response to stress is to eat desserts, yes? Maybe no.

Maybe if you’re stressed you should eat a backwards dessert, or backwards eat dessert. That might mean anti-dessert. A walk.

The fact is, when we’re stressed our digestion stops. It’s a sensible somatic response; our bodies are designed to run when the pressure’s on, and they don’t need to be digesting while running. So the last thing you should do when you’re stressed is put food into a factory that’s not operating.

It’s crazy to promulgate the suggestion that the thing to give a stressed or distressed friend is a plate of cookies. Or a tub of ice cream. Instead take her out for a walk.

The movement will help dispel the stress. The exercise will provide pain relief. Talking will be easier and vision will expand.

At Walk was started one autumn, but I think it works year-round:

The knobby trunks of sycamores recall
potato shapes I’ve seen on market shelves,
and amber drifts fill gutters with the fall
of leaves, as she and I exhaust ourselves
each weekend walking to deserve our food,
to contemplate divorce and family,
to hunt for grace in age and attitude,
while learning to pronounce anemone.

Sometimes I praise her strength, or I declare
that she is lovely, bright, attractive, fun.
And then her chin will quiver but despair
she doesn’t show me, and her tears don’t run
as long as we are wearing out our feet,
exploring and expounding on concrete.