Reminiscing now about why I enjoy walking takes me back to elementary school. I would walk to school with our Librarian, who lived on my corner. During high school, my bestie would drive in from the country, park in my driveway, and she and I would walk the three blocks to school. Our county fair was a few blocks from my childhood home. We walked that route daily to and from the fair for numerous volunteer commitments.
These days, I walk with my dog, mostly. Walking can be a great way to connect and share conversations about your day, which is what it was for me growing up. Walking can also be a wonderful time to be with yourself and reflect upon your thoughts privately. I tend to crave faster-paced sports: skiing and biking. It’s fun to work hard and go fast. But there’s just something about walking that I’ll always crave.
Why is Walking Important?
There are many health benefits of walking. Walking briskly for 21 minutes a day, just about a mile, can help lower the risk of certain diseases, boost the metabolism, and control your blood pressure. Walking can also improve your health in more ways than you expect. Even though walking doesn’t seem like a workout, you may be surprised about these unexpected benefits.
Unexpected Benefits of Walking
It’s free! It doesn’t cost a thing, except for a pair of shoes. Think about that! The cost of sporting equipment can get spendy.
Beginner friendly. There is no intimidation factor here. Start off at a leisurely pace. It’s a low-impact activity for the most part. If you experience joint pain, try walking around a track with a softer rubber surface or on a dirt trail. Asphalt is softer than concrete. On the flip side, walking also strengthens the joints and aids in reducing the development of osteoarthritis.
Endorphin Release. Walking makes us happy. Endorphins are the feel-good chemical in the body that promotes a state of pleasure.
Idea Generator. Once those feel-good chemicals are pumping, you’re likely to come up with some good ideas or even a plan or itinerary for the rest of the day or week. Be prepared to start checking off the To-Do list.
Reflect or Collaborate. Solo stroll or partner up! It’s a great time to reflect amongst yourself or grab a friend and chat about the day. A friend will also help keep you accountable.
3 Tips to help you start your walking routine
To get started on your walking routine, you can:
- Park further away
- Take the stairs
- Walk on your lunch break. More about that here
Walking a mile a day could also be broken up. If you have 10 minutes a day at different times, use that time to take a few extra steps. Take a short break and make a lap. Or take the long way to the restroom at work, take the stairs to a different floor. Walking is simple and can be done just about anywhere at any time. It can be done indoors or outdoors.
Inclement weather doesn’t matter—rain or shine, hot or cold. You could become a Mall Walker! That’s right, you know who I’m talking about. Walking can be done indoors, on a treadmill, or up and down hallways on those wet, cold days.
Start small, consider when you can fit in extra steps throughout your day, and enjoy the unexpected benefits of simply putting one foot in front of the other.
Comment below
When was the last time you went for a walk? How did it make you feel?
