Deciding what kind of wellness routine is best for you requires research, and not just because of personal preferences. Every social media post, news report, and “expert” opinion varies, and doing our due diligence can be exhausting. We can’t come up with the perfect well-being regimen for you, but we can clear the air on one powerful and sometimes underrated activity: walking.
Here’s the deal: in today’s fast-paced world, finding the time (and even the energy) for physical activity can be challenging. The thing is, you don’t need a full-on fitness program or a wearable step counter to incorporate some movement on a daily basis. Walking is our favorite low-impact activity for a few different reasons.
- Sanity walks: whether you’re taking a walk in a park, making a loop around the neighborhood while you’re on a conference call, or just stepping outside for a few minutes of fresh air, a sanity walk can help your mind and body reset.
- Stand up from sedentary work: even if you have a workout routine, sitting down all day isn’t exactly good for you. Taking a few minutes here and there to refill your water bottle, or opting for the stairs instead of the elevator, are a few moments that can help make a big difference.
- Productivity hack: we’ve been trained to believe that productivity and efficiency are keys to success, but our brains can’t always keep up. Stepping away from something you’ve been working on for a while or running a quick errand when you’re spiraling from feeling overwhelmed can help you reset. In other words, giving your brain a break and moving your body can help improve your work’s quality and adeptness when you return to it.
- Something is better than nothing: you do not need to walk 10,000 steps in order to glean the benefits of walking. Read that again. Increasing your daily movement is better in increments, and it’s more likely that you’ll make it a habit. Small changes are what create lifestyle shifts.
No matter your age or fitness level, incorporating daily movement, even in the form of short walks, is crucial for maintaining healthy physical and mental health. Always consult your doctor before making a drastic change, and feel free to contact us to help determine what specific walking habits would benefit you most wherever you are on your health journey.