Walking

3 Ways How Walking Can Improve the Quality of Your Life

And how it can change your life for good.

The Corona Virus pandemic spread like wildfire. And six months later, it still continues to do so. The sheer suddenness of the outbreak caught us all off guard.

We all are reeling from the losses it has caused. The losses have been different for everybody. Whether it’s in terms of health, job, business, freedom or loneliness.

Everyone is going through a myriad of emotions.

I too have been affected by the virus. Being a final year engineering student, I was poised to sit for my technical interviews for the job of Software Developer.

With economy taking a massive beating, there aren’t many jobs available anymore. Being from a tier 2 college isn’t helping either.

But out of all the things to happen during the ongoing pandemic, one positive thing happened to me.

I rediscovered my love for walking.

I was always fond of walking growing up. But as my life busied up just like the usual adult hustling to make a career, I lost touch with it.

With plenty of time owning to the pandemic, I got into the habit of walking again.

I’m so thankful that I started walking actively again! It’s beginning to have positive impact on my life.

If you have been putting off walking due to laziness or any other of your reasons, here are three reasons why you should absolutely reconsider doing it.

1.Gives Clarity to your Thoughts

“I can only meditate when I am walking. When I stop, I cease to think; my mind works with my legs.” — Jean-Jacque Rousseau

Whenever I feel overwhelmed by thoughts and emotions, I go for a stroll. It’s my goto way to deal with stress.

Being a student, there’s never a dearth of assignments pouring in one after the other. Even during the lockdown, colleges have ensured to keep their students busy and mostly for the unnecessary stuff.

In addition to that I am also preparing for a competitive exam. All of this combined it tends to get quite overwhelming for me. So to give myself a break , I often go for a walk.

And every time I return amazed by the effects it has on my mood.

I feel refreshed and ready to take on the world again. It helps me think clearly.

It gives me time and space to introspect. It makes me truly appreciate “Me time “. I realise how absolutely essential it is for me to spend time with myself. I thrive on it!

Even if it’s for half an hour, I ensure I make use of that time.

I am at my creative best during the walk. I get various new ideas ranging from ways to study better to how to make money to on what topics to write on! It’s my solo brainstorming session!

At one point,a sense of euphoria hits me and everything seems conquerable!

It’s the ultimate reason why I make it a point to walk every day.

2.It keeps you healthy

Walking: The Most Ancient Exercise And Still The Best Modern Exercise-Carrie Latet

Walking has been one of the biggest reasons I have been able to maintain my weight during this pandemic. Apart from practising Intermittent Fasting and Sugar Detox.

I walk somewhere around 30 mins to an hour. Which isn’t a lot of time given the dividends I reap from it.

Walking is one of the simplest ways to lose weight. It isn’t rigorous or anything over the top. Even if you are not much into workouts or are just too lazy to go to the gym, walking can still be your thing.

If you regularly do it, you’ll definitely end up shedding some extra pounds!

To make it more fun, I plug in my earphones, fire up my playlist and get some songs rolling!

Music enhances the experience manifold.

A stroll of mere 30 minutes can do wonders for your health and well-being.

Scientific studies have also shown that walking, besides its physical benefits, is also beneficial for the mind, improving memory skills, learning ability, concentration among many other benefits.

If your goal is to lose weight and get in shape, walking might be the first step towards it.

3.Reconnects you to nature

“A walk in nature walks the soul back home”-Mary Davis

In this fast-moving life, we have lost touch with nature. We hardly spend time outside. Owning to the lockdown in my country the situation has only worsened.

Since building immunity is of utmost importance to ward off the virus, I grab a mask and go out for a walk almost every day.

It also helps me reconnect to nature. Spending time in nature has been shown to make you happy, make you feel less depressed and is to linked to improved mental health.

I observe the beauty of nature closely and try to stay as mindful as I can. Walking is meditative to me. I am not much into meditation but walking is my alternative to it.

There’s something surreal about spending time in nature. Problems seem less daunting.

Spend time in nature and see your happiness levels go up.

The Takeaway

• Gives clarity to your thoughts — Try walking the next time you feel bogged down by thoughts.
• Keeps you healthy — Remember it is the easiest way to lose weight.
• Reconnects you to nature — Spending time in nature has been shown to uplift your mood and is good for the brain too.

If these reasons resonate with you and you decide to take up the habit of walking, your life will be exponentially better.

Put on your shoes, make a playlist and get on with it.

You won’t regret it.

Special Mentions:-

• Bhavna Narula — For pushing me to write to my full potential and not be complacent.
• Anangsha Alammyan — For inspiring me to write by sharing her journey through posts and YouTube videos.
• Brian Rowe — For sharing innumerable posts on how to write better.

And the countless of people who shared their journey here and inspired me to write!