Walking is a simple, fun way to get some exercise while enjoying the season and bonding with family. You can walk with family to catch up on the latest or walk alone to have quality time to yourself. Walking is a gift that you can give yourself every day without too much disruption to your routine. Best part – there’s no learning curve; but is walking really effective for your fitness? You bet. Health experts are always recommending walking as a way to promote both physical and mental health. Here are eight reasons why you should consider integrating walking into your daily routine.
Before beginning your walks, please make sure you have the proper footwear and attire. That will make your walk that much more enjoyable.
Clear your mind
Do you need some space to calm your thoughts or to think freely? Walking calms the mind and allows you to get rid of the cobwebs so that you can think objectively on an issue, and in so doing, fresh, healthy ideas start to incubate.
Lift your mood – Is Walking Really Effective for Your Fitness?
There’s no better way to lift low spirits than to take a walk and let nature absorb all the negative energy. Whether it’s a 30-minute walk in the park or a 15-minute stroll in the city, walking outside relieves the mind especially if you’re under intense stress.
Get a Burst of Energy
Your workout coach will tell you, even the smallest amount of movement generates energy- so the next time you feel sluggish or bloated after a heavy meal, just put on comfortable shoes and take a walk around the block. You’ll be surprised at the difference in your energy level. Perhaps you’ll take a few more walks before you get back and start cleaning the house.
Spend Time With Family – Is Walking Really Effective for Your Fitness?
A walk with the family allows partners to bond away from work and stress of every-day life, and it’s also a memory your children will cherish and pass on. When you’re done with the serious stuff, increase the pace of your walk to a chase, and get the kids ready to have some family fun!
Enjoy The Seasons
Summer is a great time to go swimming, and in winter you can go skiing again, but walking is one of the few activities that you can do year-round. Whether its spring, when the flowers are starting to peak their heads, or fall, when the leaves make a riot in the park, or in winter, when you can put on winter boots, mittens and a hat, and get out of the house for 20 minutes: walking is something you can do all year.
Used As A ‘Replacement Activity’ – Is Walking Really Effective for Your Fitness?
Do you sometimes work so hard that you’re left too tired to hit the gym in the evening? Walking is a great replacement for disrupted exercise routines. It can be done alone, with a friend, a partner, a child, etc.
Fits Into A Hectic Schedule
It doesn’t matter how busy you are every day; everybody can squeeze in a few minutes to walk. Consider all the walking you do during the day- whether you’re going from desk to desk, dashing to-and-from your car, going from meeting to meeting; it all counts as walking. Find ways to enjoy it.
You Can Do It Your Way
Nobody is going to dictate how you walk. Do you prefer to walk fast, or slow, or to just stroll around while listening to your podcast- whatever you prefer, is fine as long as it works for you.