As caregivers, either to your family or professionally, walking improves your heart health, mood and energy.
It is well documented that there are physical and mental benefits to walking three times or more a week, but if you can only get out less frequently, it is still beneficial.
A brisk walk raises your heart rate, improves circulation, and helps lower blood pressure. If you prefer, walking at your pace allows you to reflect and absorb and appreciate nature.
Walking builds endurance and tones leg muscles while helping maintain bone density. It aids in digestion and can also reduce LDL cholesterol and improve blood sugars, especially after a meal.
This activity reduces stress, lubricates joints and strengthens surrounding muscles, particularly in knees and hips.
My Experience
As a busy mom or four, at days end, especially in the warmer months, the youngsters would have a bath and dressed in pj’s, I would take them for a walk in the cool of the evening. We would wave or sometimes talk to neighbors sitting on their porch enjoying the evening air. The park at the end of the street hosted little league baseball games and we would stop for a few minutes watching the game before moving on. After a 30- or 45-minute walk, we headed home and bedtime was calmer and therefore easier.
This ritual provided time for me and the children to unwind and appreciate the beautiful neighborhood we lived in. Even though the children are adults now, I still enjoy these benefits while walking the dog or cycling in and around my area.
Make a commitment to yourself to slow down and take a walk in the park, breathe fresher air and really appreciate the beauty in nature. Regular walking is linked to better sleep quality, memory, and mental clarity.
