Walk For Whatever Ails You!

I have always loved walking. I walk when I’m feeling off, I’m angry, I’m sad, I’m depressed, I’m worried, I’m frustrated, I’m stuck, I feel tired, I feel off, I feel blaa. Walking is what I do when I don’t know what to do. Walking is the way I clear my head and brighten my mood.  For me, walking is the ultimate therapy for whatever ails me!

I also walk for the sheer pleasure of it. I love feeling the soothing, rhythmic movement of my body and the refreshing air being pulled deeply into my lungs. I revel in the quality of the natural light and shadows and the sights and sounds that surround me as I stroll through the woods. I love the expectation of possibly coming upon a flock of turkey, family of deer, a fox, a beaver or seeing a hawk swoop through the trees.

I’m really lucky because I can walk out my door and be on a whole circuit of trails that go through the woods for miles and miles. There are streams and ponds, hills and fields and an abundance of tumbling down stone walls. A truly delightful potpourri of nature’s landscapes that change with each of the New England seasons.

We humans were designed as walking machines. A healthy, fairly fit body can walk for hours at a moderate pace without fatigue or wear and tear. Unfortunately, this may not be the case for a lot of us these days because of the life sedentary life styles we live. But no matter where you are on the scale with your health and fitness, most people can at least walk for short periods of time. And once you start walking a little, you can increase your time as you build strength and stamina.

There are tremendous health benefits to walking especially if you do it outside. Walking strengthens your heart and lungs; improves your circulation; strengthens your leg and core muscles; improves your balance; strengthens your immune system; moves the lymph fluid through your body; increases your metabolism and can help you lose weight; improves your mood and helps ease depression. There is a saying that says “move a muscle, move a thought” and the steady rhythmic motion of walking is highly conducive to the shift of negative thoughts.

So my advice to you is that if you’re feeling off for whatever reason, put on your sneakers or boots, grab your coat and head out the door! Have you taken your walk today? I have!