I went on a two mile walk today. This happened because I was feeling a bit of anxiety. So, instead of sitting around thinking, I decided to take a lap round my neighborhood. Once I was outside, I saw others doing the same (while practicing social distancing of course), and I immediately felt like I wasn’t the only one feeling like I needed a walk to get out of my own head.
New Normal
All of this COVID-19 talk is now our new reality, but at the same time I am having a hard time accepting it. When concepts are new and not the norm, it takes time to adjust. So instead of overthinking, I decided to take a walk and clear my mind.
On my walk, I started thinking about how much technology will play more into work and school environments, how sanitation will impact business and personal transactions and just how differently people will view the world in general.
Why I Walked
It definitely helped that the weather was beautiful today. It was a mix of sun and breeze. When walking around my neighborhood, I always notice something new…like a tree I’ve never paid attention to, or how the animals and humans interact with each other.
For instance, as I rounded the first corner on my walk, I saw six deer peering through the bushes “hiding” while standing as still as possible. As I moved closer they all took off in one direction except for the youngest, baby deer (fawn) who ran (or wobbled rather) opposite direction of the others. They were making their “escape”. The mama deer (I assume) came back for the baby, and ushered it towards the others. This made me smile.
As I kept walking, I noticed two of my neighbors having a conversation, but they were really far apart (talking loudly…damn near yelling from across the street…way more than the recommended six feet apart). I wondered if they were taking this social distancing thing too far (their conversation seemed very detailed).
Then as I walked up the street, two squirrels chased each other up a blooming tree, rustling through the leaves as they made their way to the top, and then back down. Oh, what fun they were having!
As I was completing my walk, I saw a man walking his two dogs–very different in size. The man and the rather huge dog were in sync–peacefully in stride, but the miniature dog appeared to be running (or briskly walking) just to keep up. I’d never noticed this crew before, but they made me chuckle.
I felt so much better once I returned home from my walk. After my walk, I decided to keep my momentum going and did some ab exercises. I felt much better after this.
Due to coronavirus, my gym is closed for the next couple of weeks. So, I plan to go outside and walk more as a way to stay active…and to clear my mind.
Benefits of Walking
One thing that walking does, is it boosts your immune system, which is very important now.
The immediate benefit I felt today, was that it reduced my stress. Walking is one of those things that you know is good for you, but sometimes you just have to be reminded of its immense benefits.
According to studies, here are some other benefits of walking:
- It helps with weight maintenance – with the gyms being closed in my area (and the weather getting nicer), this will be my go-to alternative.
- Helps you live longer – active people generally live longer.
- Helps with signs of aging – I personally notice that people who walk and exercise seem to feel and look younger.
- Can help ease chronic pain – for me it helps with reducing my inflammation.
- Strengthens bones and tones your muscles
- Lowers blood pressure
- Helps with sleep
- Improves your lungs and respiratory system
- Helps with mindfulness and practicing gratitude – I definitely experienced this today.
- Can help to generate ideas and creativity – A clear mind makes room for new ideas.
- I know I said it before, but it boosts your mood! – I felt so much better after my walk.
Exercise is great for your health, but my walk outdoors with the fresh air today helped with my emotional well-being. Although I was feeling some stress (and perhaps boredom) from all of the virus news, my walk helped me to unplug and eased my anxiety. My health and ability to move around freely is blessing, and my walk reminded me of that.
Are the gyms in your area closed due to the virus outbreak? If so, do you plan to walk more or have you been walking? Do you prefer to walk alone, or with others?
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