I don’t think I’ve ever appreciated the beauty of a good walk more in my life. In a time where my morning commute is now taking the twelve steps down the stairs to my couch, it’s easy to forget how nice it is to get moving during the day. Regardless of my current step count or motivation to exercise, whether I’m bored, stressed, overly-caffeinated, or all of the above, I’m fully convinced that there’s nothing a good walk can’t fix, and I’d like to convince you of that too.
Now that the weather is finally clearing up in Maine, my favorite way to start the day is to use my “commute time” to go for a walk around the neighborhood. It’s not overly taxing, but it’s a great way to start the day with sunshine and fresh air, and maybe see some friendly faces along the way. I promise you’ll sit down for the day feeling alive awake alert AND enthusiastic – all before you’ve even had time for that morning cup of joe.
If a morning walk doesn’t seem realistic (and let’s be real – sometimes those extra few minutes of sleep are non-negotiable), why not use a quick 30-minute lunch break for a midday pick me up in the form of an afternoon stroll? No need for an afternoon slump when you can get out in the sun and get your blood pumping! Especially on days where I’m overly stressed, I’ve found that taking this time to decompress can really go a long way towards resetting my afternoon.
Speaking of being overly stressed, if you’ve been at home with the same people for weeks on end like me, taking a walk by yourself is a wonderful excuse to be alone in a time where that is a truly rare occurrence. I can promise you I have returned a new woman after excusing myself for a stroll around the block – and maybe using that time to vent a little on the way.
Not only that, but walks also present the opportunity for activity when there otherwise wouldn’t be one. Case in point: this past weekend, I was finally reuniting with my best friend who I hadn’t seen in months, but given the current situation we couldn’t exactly resume our normal activities of sharing our favorite pizza and binge-watching an entire season of Supernatural (if you know, you know). The perfect quarantine reunion activity? A beautiful springtime walk around Portland! Not only could we catch up on anything and everything without anyone else around, but we could enjoy the sun and stay safe at the same time – and still mix in a stop for donuts on our way home.
Last but not least, you’d be surprised how good walks are for your health – but if you have an Apple Watch, you’ve probably already noticed the way your Activity Ring thanks you for those outdoor walks. They’re good for your mind, they’re good for your body, they’re good for everything. Seriously. Go take a walk – you’ll thank me later. ☼
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