How Your Mental Health Can Greatly Improve from the Benefit of Daily Walking

Is there a benefit of daily walking to your mental health? Well, when you look at the different forms of mental illnesses, you probably think that taking a walk is the last thing that would help. As we have learned, many mental health illnesses have a common ground. They can leave you with a loss of interest in everyday life.

And with that loss of interest comes a list of negative feelings, emotions, and lack of physical health. in my moments of depression, I can attest to this. There were plenty of times that I wanted to lie in bed all day than deal with anything related to life.

Once you lose the ability to maintain daily activities, it can be hard to think of doing anything active. And because you may be stuck in a cycle of depression, it can be hard to get the energy to do so. Now one of the ways to help maintain your mental health, as suggested by the National Institute of Mental Health, is by getting regular exercise.

Regular exercise can mean something different for everyone. Whether it’s a thirty-minute cardio routine or a ten-minute yoga session, moving your body contributes to boosting your endorphins. And when your endorphins are up, so too is your energy and ability to do everyday things.

However, even getting the smallest amount of exercise daily can be a challenge when you’re dealing with your mental health. I find it difficult to stick to a physical routine. While I may start off great, I often find myself falling back to being less active.

Yet, walking has served as a great exercise routine for me and can for you.

How does your mental health benefit from daily walking

Several studies layout the benefit of walking for your physical fitness. Yet when it comes to mental health, we’re only starting to talk about the benefit of walking. Walking daily can serve an all-around purpose for you.

Not only can it improve your physical health, but it can also improve your mood, perception of yourself, and more. There’s nothing like taking a walk on a nice day to clear your mind. And the benefits of having the fresh air on you can be a constant reminder of better days.

On the days I feel unlike myself, I often enjoy taking a stroll outside. And I hate when the time comes to go back in. Whether it’s a small walk to the store or a long stroll through the park, taking that time to yourself can give you the clarity you need to help manage your mental wellbeing.

Walking helps you relieve stress

You may have noticed that during a walk your mind starts to become more relaxed. Why? Because rather than stressing over a problem you may be having, your mind starts to soak in your surroundings. Daily walks outside help you turn off the pressures of everyday life and help reduce the levels of cortisol which is linked to your stress levels.

Walking can also be seen as a calming device because it allows your brain to go into a meditative state. While the beginning of your walk may start off rough, your thinking process can start to change once you’re in the movement of a stroll.

Walking boosts your outlook on the day

Walking on a good day can serve as a great mood booster. Even walking on a rainy day. There’s something about nature that helps calm the mind while giving you a boost of energy. On those days when everything can go wrong, stepping outside to walk can help change the way you feel in the moment.

And that mood could be carried with you the rest of the day. Nature can have an impact on increasing your creativity, and ability to think clearly while lowering your anxiety and stress.

Walking can ease your depression

Because mental health is surrounded by negative thoughts and feelings, you may find yourself in a cycle. And many mental illnesses can lead to a lack of sleep and low energy levels. This can affect your ability to stay motivated.

You can use your walk as a private time to practice a little cognitive thinking. That time alone could allow you to hash out some of the thoughts you may be thinking about yourself. And in a return, it can be a release for pent-up feelings.

How to create a daily walking routine for your mental health

The best way to start a walking routine is to take baby steps. And you’re probably thinking “I walk all the time, why start small?” Well, the difference between a walking routine and just walking everywhere is that a walking routine is something that is there for your enjoyment and your physical health.

Walking routines are planned out routes, therefore, you can begin by mapping out a nice comfortable walking path. And as you get comfortable with your walking route, you can extend the distance each day or week. You can also use your walking routine as a great reward by setting small goals and celebrating your wins.

And all of this contributes to improving your mental health. Now before taking any long walks, stretch to warm up those legs and start with a nice pace rather than a quick power walk. Remind yourself that your new walk routine is not a race. It’s there for the benefits you’ll receive from consistently doing it.

Here are a few tips I can give you that can help you get your routine started:

1. Plan an enjoyable route

Some of the best routes are those through a local park. The environment of a park can set a comfort zone of peace. But so too can a walk through a city neighborhood. If you know your neighborhood well then plan out a route that will give you the best energy to walk through.

2. Switch up your routine so it doesn’t get boring

The best thing about walking outside is there’s so many different routes. So don’t be shy to switch up your routine. Take in different scenery and remind yourself that there’s no set rule for where you walk.

3. Make your walk a successful one

Although walking is something that we do every day, you may want to think of your walk route differently. You want to take in all the benefits of your walk so start with a simple walking goal. Instead of coming out of the gate with a thirty-minute walk, try a ten-minute one. Even taking your dog for a walk can count as a small walk. Then you can build on extending the walk and time because you want each walk to be a successful one.

4. Don’t feel sad about missing days

We all have our bad days when we don’t want to do anything. If you find yourself missing a day, then there’s no need to feel sad. Just pick it up the next day and remind yourself of how good it made you feel to take a walk the last time.

5. Do your walks safely

Be sure to plan your routes in well-lit areas. I like to take my walks during the morning time when I know that others are going to work or school. That way there’s more people outside along with me. However, if you need to go at night, the same rules can apply along with taking a partner.

Conclusion

Walking daily leaves you with such a great feeling physically and mentally. It can become your saving grace during difficult moments as well as improve your mental health. You can’t go wrong with taking a walk daily. Just look at all the benefits you can receive from it.

Do you think the benefit of walking will help your mental health? Are you planning to walk more after reading the benefits? Share your experiences in the comments below.

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Until next time, this is Tammy saying keep strong, keep positive. And NOTHING’s Impossible!!!