Wednesday, April 5, is National Walking Day
Dealing with stress? Have 30 minutes? Take a walk.
Tomorrow is National Walking Day, a day to promote the benefits of walking. The American Heart Association says walking is one of the easiest and most beneficial ways to be healthy.
According to their website, only about one in five adults and teens get enough exercise to maintain good health. But it is never too late to start being more active and make better health choices. Walking can help prevent type II diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. And you may lose some weight!
The simplest way to start moving is to begin walking. And you can do it anytime, anywhere! Start small, just 10-15 minutes daily, and it will soon add up. The American Heart Association says 30 minutes of walking each day is optimal.
Being more active is essential to your physical health, but also for your mental health. You will have more stamina and get better sleep. It releases those endorphins in your brain, helping you have a more positive outlook and lower stress.
How to find motivation
Even after hearing all the benefits, sometimes we just aren’t motivated to walk or do any other type of exercise. It’s easy to live a more sedentary lifestyle; there are more conveniences today than ever. As for me, I will always choose to spend time in my craft room getting my hands dirty rather than going to the gym to get sweaty.
However, I love to walk this time of year because it’s perfect weather in Texas. Walking alone is optimal for listening to a favorite podcast or audiobook. It makes the time go by quicker, and it sometimes motivates me to walk just a little longer until a podcast episode ends, or I finish a book chapter!
If you are a social butterfly, walking is the perfect activity with friends and family. Find a friend to walk with in the neighborhood after dropping the kids off at school. At work, grab a couple of co-workers and walk once or twice a week during lunch. Walking and the company will give you energy and clearer thinking for the day.
Are you a goal-setter? Walking as an exercise can give you a sense of accomplishment. Setting and achieving a walking goal will provide you with self-confidence and give you the feeling of power over your health.
When it comes to self-care, the best thing you can do for yourself is learn what works best for managing your stress, and walking is another thing to add to your toolbox.
“Good health is not something we can buy.
However, it can be an extremely valuable savings account.”
– Anne Wilson Schaef, psychologist & author
“Self-care is not selfish. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.”
– Eleanor Brown, author & teacher
“Take care of your body; it’s the only place you have to live.”
– Jim Rohn, author & motivational speaker
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit,
who is in you, whom you have received from God?
You are not your own; you were bought at a price.
Therefore, honor God with your bodies.
– 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
4 responses to “Want Less Stress? Take a Walk.”
I do a lot of walking. And i can say yes it does help with stress..
Amen, being autistic exercise is one of the better stress reducers. Cortisol is one of the greatest causes of heart disease and exercise a d laughter at the top two actions we can do to improve cardiovascular health.
I find that viewing my daily walk as a second antidepressant has motivated me to keep it up. Keeping a mood journal also helps. Looking back, the days I walk are more elevated and calm.
I so love walking! I haven’t been able to walk as much this year due to scheduling and an issue with my toe, but I agree walking is such a stress reliever.
I miss it!