7 Reasons to Take a Walk
Here are 7 unique reasons why you should be walking. Some of these may be new to you, while other tips may be a reminder. Either way, enjoy and get to walking…
Have you tried adding walking into your health routine? Perhaps, it’s always been a part of your fitness plan, or maybe you’ve just picked up the habit during your quarantine time over the past year. I wanted to share seven of my favorite reasons to “take a walk”. Some of these tips may be serve as a reminder, while others could be new to you. Either way, enjoy and get to walking!
““I love walking because it clears your mind, enriches the soul, takes away stress and opens up your eyes to a whole new world.””
Reason #1 - Walking together is a great way to connect with others. As the world is opening back up, it’s a great time to get some fresh air with friends and family you haven’t seen in a while. The great thing about walking is that a friend can make time disappear. Catching up with conversation, laughter, and sharing thoughts is the perfect way log the miles. Not to mention, taking in the beauty of the world around us, with someone we care about. Always remember to stay safe!
Reason #2 - Walk a charity walk to raise money for an important cause that holds a special place in your heart! Whether it’s cancer awareness, heart disease, ALS, or simply to support your local. community, put your steps to good use. Your participation is sure to be appreciated! Check your local newspaper or websites like active.com to see what’s going on in your area. You just might be surprised at how many events are taking place right down the street.
Reason #3 - Even if you are busy, take a short walk break. If you’re finding it difficult to fit walking into your day, try a 10- or 15-minute walk on a work break, or walk during your lunch break. The quick break can work wonders for your physical and mental health. Working out does not have to take hours of your day, heart-pumping activity can be done in short spurts, whatever it takes to get it done!
Reason #4 - Walking is as close to free as it gets! And, as my husband says, “you can’t say free without smiling”! But, seriously, if you head right out of your front door, a walk will only cost you some time and a little rubber off the sole of your shoes. You do not need fancy equipment, or clothes, or shoes. You just need the will & motivation to take care of yourself! Now, that’s not to say you can’t step it up and add extra equipment to enhance your walks…..think step counters, fitness watches, walking sticks, a hydration fanny pack, etc.. There are lots of amazing products available out there to try, if that’s what interests you.
Reason #5 - Get yourself some natural Vitamin D! You've probably heard all about the importance of vitamin D to our overall health, some of us are even deficient in this area. The best source? A few minutes of sunlight . A short afternoon walk will do the trick. Vitamin D is a vital vitamin. The presence of it in our bodies is essential for bone and muscle health, and it also helps to support a robust immune system. Do your research and find out the many other benefits of this vitamin, also request to have your own Vitamin D levels checked during your next physical.
Reason #6 - Get some “me-time”. This may be my favorite of all seven tips! We often think of meditation as something that takes place when you're sitting still, but in reality, that can be difficult to do. The doorbell will chime... The phone will ring... Your kids will need you... However, if you walk, your brain will be able to do its quiet wandering with less distractions. I truly feel we can all benefit from a bit of quiet time in our lives. The busyness of our daily lives can lead to us forgetting about what should the most important focus, our health! Our health and wellness is what will allow us to continue on, positively and productively, with our daily lives. So, don’t forget about you!
Reason #7 - Feel and look better, inside & out! Walking can kickstart your desire to create a healthier lifestyle. Benefits include, but aren’t limited to, weight loss, bone strengthening, heart health, and stress relief. Whatever it may be that motivates you to “take a walk”, just go with it! As long as you are safe and active, the benefits will certainly help you achieve your goals!
Why Walk?
In my opinion, walking has to be one of the most underrated forms of exercise. I mean, think about it… this is an activity that most of us do on a daily basis. It might even be safe to say that we take for granted just how easy it is to step out and put one foot in front of the other.
In my opinion, walking has to be one of the most underrated forms of exercise. I mean, think about it… this is an activity that most of us do on a daily basis. It might even be safe to say that we take for granted just how easy it is to step out and put one foot in front of the other. There are so many resources and tools available to track your mileage, pace, and number of steps…but, what does it all really mean? Let me help!
According the World Health Organization (better known as WHO) guidelines, which were updated recently (November 2020) for the first time in 10 years, the suggestion is to reduce your sedentary time, getting at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity per week, and focusing on strength training. A key message shared by WHO is that all physical activity counts. It can be done as part of work, sport and leisure or transport (walking, wheeling, and cycling), as well as every day and household tasks.
With all of that important information taken care of, my message to you is simply to MOVE! Whether you head out for a neighborhood walk or on the treadmill, just make the most of your activity. If the weather doesn’t permit, or you don’t have a treadmill, simply start by walking safely back and forth throughout your home or workplace. You can even walk or march in place. We do not have to make activity difficult, just be determined to make it happen!
Now, how much walking should we be doing? I’m sure at some point, you’ve all heard about the goal of walking 10,000 steps per day. But, I would suggest finding a method of measurement that works best for you and your goals, whether it be steps, miles, the distance from one fire hydrant on the block to the next one, or simply a certain number of minutes. What will prove to be most important is increasing whichever method you choose, appropriately and in a timely manner to properly challenge yourself. The moment you feel comfortable is most likely the moment you need to increase the intensity!
So, now that we’ve discussed some of the details of walking, let’s discover some of the many benefits of walking for your health. Walking can improve cardiac risk factors such as blood pressure, diabetes, vascular stiffness and inflammation, cholesterol, and mental stress. Every step, every mile helps, but the key is to be consistent. Remember, whether you’re outside enjoying nature and fresh air, or you’re more comfortable in the safety and familiarity of home, just move…just walk! Your body and mind will thank you for it!