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Walking


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Go for a walk.  Walking is a great stress reliever.  It can be quite cathartic as well.  As you walk, take time to look at the trees, flowers, houses, and people around you.  Find things along your walk that you are thankful for.  And while you are on this walk, smile at the people that you pass by.  Really observe your surroundings.  Notice the textures, colors, sounds, and smells of your environment.  Be aware of nature.  Stop and smell the roses!

There are several ways of getting your steps in each day.  One way is by simply walking.  The average person can burn between 80 to 140 calories per mile walked.  The current trend is to try to walk at least 10,000 steps per day to maintain your health.  Surprisingly, most people, unless they have an active lifestyle, do not get the needed number of steps per day.  The average person takes 2,000 steps for every mile, so if you walk 10,000 steps, you will have walked about five miles.  There are several devices on the market now to help you calculate and keep track of your steps.  Some of them will even help you track your sleep patterns and heart rate.  If you walk 10,000 steps in a day, you will burn between 400-600 calories. 

If you have pets, take them on a walk.  I’m not talking just having them do their business and coming right back in.  I mean a real walk.  Walk around the neighborhood for a few blocks (of course, only if you live in a safe area or have a big dog).  Your dog needs the exercise just as much as you do, plus the attention that it will get from you with this one-on-one contact.  A person of reasonable health should be able to walk for a mile in twenty minutes with no problem, but start off small if that bite seems too big.  Start by walking around the block.  Tomorrow, add another block.  By the end of the week, you could be walking a five-block radius and won’t even realize it.  Do it before work or at the end of the day after you get home.

Take the time to really look at your neighborhood.  Smile and wave at neighbors, then compliment them on their lawn.  Check out the blooming flowers, the warm summer breeze, the changing fall colors, or the crisp winter air.  This will do two things:  give you needed exercise and keep you in the moment.  You will find yourself more relaxed, your mind will start to quiet, and your blood pressure will reduce. 

 “If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.” ~ Dolly Parton




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