Better Balance + Flow

Not all of us are aching to jump out of bed every morning and hit the weights (or yoga mat, or whatever your choice of workout is). There are those of us who need to ease into things, get our footing right and gradually ramp up our progress. So we look to things like 10-Minute workouts or even just starting with a walk. And while getting your 10,000 steps in sounds like it should be doing wonders, is that really true?

What are the tangible benefits that you can look to and see whether your daily walk is doing you any good?

1. First of all, the very fact that you’re getting out of the house and getting moving is reason to celebrate you small win. By creating a new daily habit around movement, you’re improving the circulation of blood in your body through consistent exercise. Whether you’re doing deadlifts or just taking a casual stroll, for those of us who spend most of our days at a desk or in another sedentary position, bringing a little mobility back to our muscles and joints is a must if our goal is to being improving our overall health.

2. Now that we’ve got our blood circulating more consistently, we’re also reducing the risk of common health concerns that pop-up as we age, like cardiovascular disease, stroke, high blood pressure, etc. If you’re getting up there in age, taking a simple walk around the block a few times a week is something you might want to consider.

3. Again, if you’re not used to being on your feet most of the day, you’ll likely notice the almost instant improvement in your endurance and strength. After a week or so, you may not feel as tired after your walk as you used to. You may even look for longer, more scenic routes to make the most of your time. You might choose to warm up to a jog or even start running. When you begin to recognize what you’re body is capable of, it boosts your self-confidence and opens up a world of possibilities for what you want to achieve.

4. Let’s not forget the much-loved Sunshine Vitamin. Of course, you can choose to walk on a treadmill in your basement, but the great thing about heading outdoors are the benefits of the great outdoors themselves. Time in the sun, fresh air, and a chance to reconnect with nature, even if that’s in your neighbourhood park. All of these things help us to release stress and tension in the body as our awareness of them can bring a sense of calm to mind. What could be better than a lazy morning among the birds or an afternoon saunter with the squirrels. Okay, maybe that’s a bit much, but you get what I mean.

5. When you engage in this simple activity, it’s casual enough that you can invite a friend along or even join a local meetup group. Catch up on your week or share some new ideas while you take in the sights. A nice hike through your local conservation area before lunch at your favourite bistro or window shopping downtown are great ideas for getting started. A free activity that anyone can enjoy means it doesn’t have to be all about calories and step-counts. There’s no need for pressure.

Whether you’re out during the sunny days of Spring and Summer, or you bundle up for trip to the local fair in Autumn or Winter, there’s no limit to the ways your can allow yourself to wander and create new memories to enjoy.