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Hi All,

Sometimes, the most helpful solution is the simplest one. For many, being told to take a walk when feeling stressed or overwhelmed might not be helpful advice, but it is. Taking a walk has many physical and mental health benefits that are often overlooked.

So, whether you’re having difficulty focusing, overwhelmed with life, or just stressed overall, walking might be precisely what you need. Let’s talk about the  benefits of taking a walk. 

Mental Health Benefits of Walking

Walking will help increase your mental health due to many factors. WebMD states, “Walking helps boost your mood because it increases blood flow and blood circulation to the brain and body. It has a positive influence on your hypothalamic pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is your central nervous response system.

This is good because the HPA axis is responsible for your stress response. When you exercise by walking, you calm your nerves, which can make you feel less stressed.”

This means that your body responds well to walking, releasing chemicals in your brain that will help you feel happier when walking. The fresh air can also help and be beneficial, especially if you’re taking a break from work.

Walking outside will refresh your scenery and remind you that there is a life outside of work, something that some people have expressed difficulty remembering when sucked into intense concentration at work.

Physical Health Benefits of Walking

The physical benefits of walking aren’t limited to body fat or weight, they also help your organs.Walking is cardio, which is beneficial for your heart and lungs. Because of this, it will decrease your likelihood of heart disease. You will improve your balance and muscle health, although you might feel sore when you first start as you will use muscles you have neglected.

You’d be surprised at the kinds of muscles that have been neglected when you don’t do certain things. Walking for a prolonged period will work out muscles in your feet and calves. Dedicating thirty minutes daily to taking a walk will grant you all these benefits and more. And, of course, you will experience reduced body fat and increased fitness levels, though that shouldn’t be the main reason you do it.

Deciding to take a walk is easier than you think. If you have a dog, take it for a longer walk rather than letting it use the bathroom and going inside. Even if you don’t, you can wear headphones and listen to podcasts, audiobooks, and music. This can help you feel entertained as you walk, though you might find it helpful to sit with your thoughts every now and then.

We all have smartphones that we carry with us everywhere. Invest in a good set of earbuds or a headset. Take advantage of the many music and podcast apps available to you, many are free to use if you don’t mind the occasional ad . 

I take an hour-long lunch break and only take about twenty minutes to eat. The other 40 minutes of that time I walk around the campus where I work. I’m able to walk at a brisk enough pace to cover a mile or more in that forty minutes. I listen to music or podcasts, as the mood suits me. I come back from lunch refreshed and uplifted, ready to continue my day.

Walking to Clear Your Head

Walking can provide an escape from anything that stresses or troubles you. If you’re having a difficult time with work or personal relationships, walking outside and getting fresh air can help clear your mind. Taking walks out in nature is especially recommended if you’re at work. Instead of packing lunch, try to go to a local place that would require you to leave the building. 

When taking my daily walks I have taken time to go over things that are giving me trouble. I’ve been able to go over problems and come up with a good solution during my walks.

If a restaurant is within walking distance of your job, walk there and back on your lunch break. It will wake you up, clear your head, and give you a good amount of exercise. If you work from home, walk around your neighborhood during your break. Also, if you work in an office building, use the stairs when possible. A simple 1 to 2 or even 3 climb of stairs is great cardio. You can even start by going down the stairs and switch to going up as your endurance improves..

Conclusion

Some may roll their eyes at the concept of walking being so helpful for your mental and physical health, but it truly does work. Even if you can’t do thirty minutes daily, start by doing ten and building yourself up. Soon, you may want to take more walks for extended periods and see the benefits from it.

Respectfully,

Mario

Photo by  Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

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Reference: https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/mental-benefits-of-walking