How does spring arrive for you?
Is it the trees that bloom first or does the grass burst forth? And how about the first afternoon you remove the light jacket and bask in the warmth? Or perhaps you see that robin hopping over the slushy snow looking for food? Can you smell the first cut of grass? Are the songbirds back with their concertos?
There are a lot of good reasons to go for a walk. Not only do we feel the health benefits, our senses like sight and sound drive us to calm down on those days we walk.
Can you spare 15 minutes to step outside?
Walking Gets You Outside In The Fresh Air and Sunshine
No matter how fast or slow you walk, walking gets you outside and in the fresh air. This alone will make you feel better as your body absorbs the oxygen and sunshine. Both are important for your health and well-being.
You will find the air quality outside, particularly if you go for a walk on the beach or in a park, will be much better than the air inside your house. Of course, the sunshine outside will help your body produce all the Vitamin D it needs.
Walking Can Help You Get To And Maintain A Healthy Weight
The nice thing about walking is that you burn calories, even on short and slow walks, simply because you’re carrying a few extra winter pounds around with you. As you start to lose weight, your overall strength and endurance increase, allowing you to walk longer, further, and faster.
Walking particularly at a quick pace and doing it regularly can help you get to and then maintain a healthy weight.
Walking Improves Your Sense Of Balance And Coordination
As you walk, particularly when walking over rougher terrain, you’re also working on your sense of balance and coordination. Just getting in the habit of going for a daily walk will help. But you can work even more on your sense of balance by moving your head around. Turn your head to the right and left as you walk for a count of 30. Then move your head up and down for a count of 30. If you do these simple exercises once or twice as you walk each day you’ll get even more benefits.
Walking Strengthens Your Bones and Muscles
Even though walking is a low-impact form of exercise it helps to strengthen and tone your body. If you’re just starting out, it is all you need to start to get into better shape. As you get more fit, consider adding raising and lowering your arms front, side, and back. This will loosen those shoulders that you have been sleeping on for the past 7 hours. Squeezing stress balls in addition to your daily walks will continue to get your forearms stronger and gets your circulation moving.
Walking Will Boost Your Mood and Fight Depression
Last but not least, the exercise of walking releases endorphins that will help lift your mood and can even reduce depression and your sugars. Give it a try. The next time you’re feeling tired or are in a bad mood, lace up your sneakers and go for a brisk walk. It works like a charm. Your mind slows and your spirit soars!