This post is all about walking and why walking is so good for you! Today the majority of people lead very sedentary lives, people drive to work, sit behind a desk for eight to ten hours a day, get back in the car and head home to sit in front of the television before going to bed and doing it all again the next day.
People’s lives are more stressful, dealing with work, family, relationships, money problems to name a few, the list can go on and on.
If you do have a problem, and you’re not sure how to handle it or you're just feeling stuck in a ruck or down and depressed. Do you know what doesn’t help? Staying indoors all day, watching television and going to the fridge and eating everything you see, or heading out for drinks with your mates and getting battered on a Friday and Saturday night. You’re not going to solve your problems this way.
What would help is GOING OUTSIDE and GOING FOR A WALK.
I bet you’re thinking this sounds too simple and easy and its never going to work. All I want you to do is try it and see!
There are hundreds of reasons why walking is good for you, both for your body and your mind. I’m going to share with you a few of these reasons;
Going outside gets you into the fresh air. Fresh air, means more oxygen and we need oxygen to survive.
The fresh air will help to clear your head and mind.
Walking gets the blood flowing around the body, which means fresh blood to the brain, the lungs, the muscles and the heart.
It gets you out of the house and it’s a change to your normal environment. This change is good as it helps you to think in a different way and to see the situation in a whole new light.
It’s free!
It’s social, you can use it as an opportunity to catch up with a friend!
You can mix it up by going for a walk along the beach, out in the countryside, or walking up a hill if you want more of a challenge!
Top Tips for doing more walking!
If you live in the city, get off your bus or tube one stop early and walk the rest of the way.
Go for a quick walk during your lunch time, don’t sit behind your desk for the full hour. Even if you just get outside for ten or fifteen minutes you’ll feel so much better and will probably be more productive in the afternoon.
Find a friend to go for a walk with. Make a commitment to each other to meet up a few times a week.
Talk and walk it will make the time go faster.
Add variety to your daily walk, try a new route, explore a new area of town.
Listen to a podcast while you walk. This way you’re walking and learning at the same time - a win win!
Get a dog! You then have a reason to get out of the house at least twice a day.
Just go - don’t think about it too much. Just start, even if you can only walk to the end of your road and back again. It’s a start and everyone has to start somewhere.
My advice to you if you’re feeling down, depressed or just not yourself is to go for a short walk! You don’t need any special equipment, it’s not going to cost you any money and you can do it anytime, anywhere. It doesn’t have to be a long walk, even if you only go for a ten or fifteen minute stroll around the block, I will guarantee you right now that you’ll feel so much better when you come back.
The only thing that can stop you, is YOU!!
So stop making excuses, stop being lazy, get up, get dressed, put your shoes and coat on and GO!
Try it and see! What do you have to lose?!