No matter how hectic life gets, a daily walk is a great way to boost moods, reduce pain, prevent disease, remove toxins from your body and improve your general sense of wellbeing. Once you start, you’ll find that it’s an essential part of your day.
It’s hard to build a new habit at first, but you’ll quickly notice the benefits of a daily walk, and it’ll become a non-negotiable part of your routine.
If your day is jam-packed with work, school, errands to run, and family responsibilities, you probably think that there isn't enough time to squeeze in a long walk— especially if it's cold outside.
However, walking doesn't have to be strenuous or take up much of your time. In fact, with only a few minutes of your day and a comfortable pair of shoes, you can take advantage of the extensive benefits of walking!
How Daily Walks Benefit Your Health
A daily walk can do you an abundance of good— both for your physical and mental health. Here are a few of the possible benefits you may see:
- Decrease your blood pressure
- Boost your moods
- Help to relieve pain
- Potentially prevent disease and illness
- Relieve stress and anxiousness (especially walking in nature)
When walking becomes part of your daily routine, these benefits can make life more pleasant and enjoyable. They also improve your quality of life in the long term by preventing disease and illness at the onset before it becomes serious.
Scientific Support for Walking
It's compelling to know that a walk not only feels great and resets your day, but it’s also supported by solid science. Here are some reasons to take advantage of your daily walk today.
Walking could help you maintain a healthy body weight.
If you are overweight, losing the extra pounds is easier when you put one foot in front of the other on a daily basis. According to research, walking can help you burn the necessary calories to help you reduce weight and keep it off for good.
Walking may also improve your heart health.
When you walk, your heart rate increases, which strengthens your cardiovascular system by improving the flow of blood and oxygen through your body.
Walking can help with many common conditions that affect the heart, including high cholesterol, hypertension (high blood pressure), and diabetes.
The benefits of walking go beyond the heart.
Walking also helps improve your mental health by potentially reducing stress and feelings of anxiousness, promoting restful sleep, boosting memory, and improving cognitive function.
It's not all in your mind. Walking really does make you feel better!
Tips to Incorporate Daily Walks into Your Routine
Finding time in your busy schedule to fit in a daily walk can seem nearly impossible, especially when you’re scheduled to the minute. But it's more of a challenge than you might think. With these simple tips, you can make walking part of your routine, and maybe not even notice it.
1. Park in the furthest spot in the parking lot
Instead of driving up to the closest spot in front of a store or your destination, pick a parking space that’s further away from the entrance.
This is a good way to fit in a quick walk before you reach your destination without cutting into the time you have available for errands or work. It seems small in the moment, but it adds up over time.
2. Take a stroll around your office building
Your break time is an excellent opportunity to take a walk. Instead of thumbing through social media, use your downtime to take a stroll around the office building. If you work in a large complex, make it a goal to walk through every floor and see familiar faces along the way.
3. Get a dog!
If you don't like walking alone, get a dog and walk him or her twice a day. It may not be easy at first to establish this new routine, but it will soon become second nature - for you and your pup! After a while, your dog won’t let you forget it’s time to walk.
4. Stay consistent
The best way to make walking a part of your everyday routine is to stay consistent.
Try working in some quick walks while you take a phone call, on your lunch break, or while your coffee brews. Find what works for you, and make it a habit to get moving every day.
5. Stand up for your health!
If you work at a desk job, then you know that sitting for hours on end isn't the best way to maintain healthy joints and muscles. Get in the habit of getting up every hour or making it a goal to stand for one minute out of every hour.
The Bottom Line
Walking is healthy for your body, mind, and spirit. It helps you maintain a healthy weight, improve your heart health, boost mental health and strengthen the joints in your legs. It's also easy to incorporate into any routine.
If you want to be healthier today than you were yesterday, take advantage of this scientifically proven activity that can help you make the most of your life!
