Walking has not been part of my routine in the past. I took the occasional walks when I had the time. But given what seems like an always busy schedule, I had little time to go for a walk as much as I wanted to. Over the past months though, I have started to make slight changes in my routines to make room for this activity. The constant stress that dogged me prompted me to take stock of my daily activities and realized that my lifestyle needs a little bit of improvement – especially on the health and wellness side. Taking a walk every day has since brought positive changes in my daily life.
Studies have been made about the benefits of walking abound. I have been reading a lot of articles on that subject lately. If I had any doubts about what science has proven to be true, which I don’t, it would have already been proven wrong. My experiences in walking convinced me that there is something good about the activity. I am one of those who believes that if you want to be happy, take a walk. Here are the reasons why:
It improves my mood – No matter how I feel before stepping out the door, I could not help but feel better as soon as I start my walk. The wind in my face, the very air itself, hits me and seems to shake me from the stupor of stress. I begin to enjoy the sights. I noticed that even the familiar sights in the routes I frequent never stay the same. There is always something new for me to see or experience. And that makes me happy.
It clears my mind – Walking helps me think more clearly. For reasons I cannot explain, I feel like my head just made room for a clean slate. Ideas that elude me while stuck on my work desk come when I least expect it. It also works the same way for me when I am dealing with problems which seem more solvable once I have set out on the road.
It gives me time for myself – Things can be overwhelming at a time with so many things going on at any given day. Whether it is at home or with my work, there seems to be something urgent that requires my attention. These are on top of the things I have to juggle dealing with a lot of people on a daily basis. My solitary walks give me precious time away from it all even just for a little time. This leaves me refreshed and ready to face my usual routines again when I come back.
It helps me sleep better – My sleep routine improved since I started walking regularly. I have developed better habits that helped me overcome insomnia I was suffering from for years. The lack of sleep has always left me tired and lethargic. I relied on energy bars and several cups of strong coffee a day to get by. Now, I still need my coffee fix but mostly for the pleasure it gives me.
Take a picture. What’s great about walking is you don’t have to rush, aside from it helping you stay fit in a cheap way, walking is also a form of relaxation. This is why it’s possible to bring a camera while you walk—they won’t be distracting or hitting your body once in a while. Once you see a beautiful scene, take a good picture (consider the lighting and angle). It’s also ideal to take lots of pictures so you can have numerous images to choose from later on.
