Many people assume that in order to start a fitness routine, you need to work out for hours on end. But focusing on your physical and mental health can start with simple, everyday habits, like walking! It’s easy to overlook the benefits of something as easy as taking a walk outdoors. But walking can actually provide a wide range of benefits for your overall wellbeing.
Plus, you can always invite your kids or your other loved ones to join you on your walks and turn the occasion into a fun social event! If you’re curious about incorporating outdoor walks into your daily schedule, read on to learn all about the perks.
Improve Your Fitness
You don’t have to commit to intense workout sessions at the gym to improve your fitness. Going for walks is a great starting point. Walking works your leg muscles and helps to boost your cardiovascular health. You’ll build muscle and increase your endurance over time!
If you work long hours while sitting in an office chair, walking can also help you limber up. This will relieve back pain and muscle tension. Walking will definitely give you a spring in your step.
Exercise Releases Endorphins
Have you ever noticed that your mood feels a little brighter after you workout or spend time some time being active outdoors? That’s because exercise actually releases endorphins.
Basically, when you work out, or just move your body in general, your brain begins to release chemicals that make you feel good naturally. This is why walking can help to relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression. If you’ve been struggling with your mental health, daily walks may not be the cure, but they can certainly reduce the severity of your symptoms.
Vitamin D Exposure
When you’re outside, you get exposure to natural vitamin D through sunlight. Vitamin D protects against depression, and a vitamin D deficiency can leave you feeling exhausted, numb, and sad. If this sounds familiar, it’s time to start prioritizing daily walks!
However, it’s important that depending on how far away you live from the equator, and what time of year it is, a daily outdoor walk might not be enough to fulfill your vitamin D requirements, so make sure that your diet includes plenty of vitamin D.
Screen-Free Time
When you’re outside walking, you’re not looking at screens. Sure, you can pop your headphones in and listen to a fun playlist as you stroll around your neighborhood, but you won’t be scrolling through social media, messaging your friends, or checking your work emails.
In fact, turning off your notifications during walks is a great idea. You can think of your daily walks as a time to truly unplug and step away from all of your responsibilities. Instead of focusing on your to-do list, you can simply enjoy the outdoors for a while.
Lowered Stress Levels
Overall, daily walks can lower your stress levels. You get to move your body after a long day of work, enjoy some fresh air, tune out the world, and even chat and catch up with your friends in the neighborhood. After just one daily walk, you might notice that you feel a little lighter, and after a week or so, you won’t want to give up this habit!
People of all ages can benefit from daily walks. This is a habit that you can keep up with throughout the course of your life.
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Are you interested in more lifestyle changes to support your mental health? Working with a therapist can help. Reach out to us today to discuss your options for scheduling your first session.