Happy New Year!! New Years has become one of my favorite holidays; I love an opportunity for a fresh start. And, yes, I am one of those people that makes resolutions for each new year.
Okay, alright, I know at least one of you just groaned. It seems like these days, you either love or hate the idea of New Year’s resolutions. Whether you call them intentions, goals, dreams…there is something about a new calendar year that can holds so much possibility.
For many people, health and wellness are on the list of priorities for the new year. And many people will put exercise at the top of the list, which is fantastic! Exercise has countless physical and mental health benefits, ranging from improving your heart health to fighting depression. But maybe you’re one of those people who hates the smell of the gym, finds weight-lifting intimidating, and breaks out into hives when thinking about running a marathon. I might have a solution for you.
Walk it off
Walking is a movement that many of us are able to do, but often take for granted. Brisk walking is not only a low-impact exercise, but has incredible health benefits. Some of those include:
- Improvement in cardiovascular health
- Weight loss, and reducing the impact of weight-promoting genes
- Release of endorphins, which boost mood
- Reduction of sugary cravings
- Reduction of the risk of developing illnesses/medical problems (even cancer!)
Walking can also be a fun activity! You can explore your local community, spend more time in nature, feel the sunshine, and breathe fresh air. You can listen to podcasts, music, audiobooks, etc. while walking, to make things more entertaining. You might find yourself walking for a full half-hour without noticing the time go by!
30 minutes a day keeps the doctor away
How much should we walk? Well, the US Department of Health and Human Services recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. Brisk walking falls under this category.
150 minutes?? It might sound like a lot on first glance. But if you break it down, that’s about 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Seems more reasonable, right?
If you have an hour lunch break, that’s only half of your lunch break. That’s 30 minutes before you get ready for work. That’s 30 minutes walking your dog after work. That’s 30 minutes you can spend watching your favorite TV show while walking around the block.
Doable, right? YES!
30 minute challenge
Okay, now it’s your turn. Try walking for 30 minutes every day. Here’s some tips I’ll leave you with.
- Try walking for 3 days a week in the beginning to get used to walking more often
- Try picking a new destination to walk to each day
- Take a friend, family member, or pet with you to keep you company
- Try multi-tasking; if you feel like you don’t have enough time during the day, you can answer emails, run through flashcards, or log into your virtual meeting while on your walk.
Try the 30 minute challenge this upcoming week, and let me know how it goes!
WordsByAdaugo | Health and Wellness Writer 