The Benefits of Taking A Walk
When is the last time you went for a walk? Not a quick walk around Target or to run into the grocery store but a true purposeful walk.
The majority of individuals now work at desk jobs, commute to work in cars and focus upon activities such as watching tv. As a result of the lack of activities that involve movement, The World Health Organization estimates that 95 % of the world’s adult population is inactive and fail to meet the minimal recommendations of 30 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity five times per week.
One does not have to be an athlete to benefit from walking. Our Fitbits encourage us to reach 10,000 steps a day but many of us reguarly fall short (raising hand). As many find themselves chained to desks during the day, another way to consider moving is to attempt 250 steps per hour.
There has likely been an experience in your life when you have been stressed and overwhelmed and someone suggested taking a walk. After this quick walk, the situation likely felt different.
Walking 30 minutes per day can do the following:
- Strengthen the heart
- Lowers disease risk of breast and colon cancer
- Help lose weight
- Can prevent dementia
- Tone legs, arms and ab muscles
- Provide and create energy
- Boost happiness
- Boost Vitamin D levels
- Increase creativity
- Increases serotonin levels and raises endorphins
Walking in general is wonderful for your health but additional research is showing that walking outdoors is even better. Walking in green space can often create a meditative effect and can positively impact serious conditions such as depression. In fact, the Japanese practice of forest bathing has been clinically proven to lower cortisol (the stress hormone) levels, lower pulse and blood pressure and lower the sympathetic nervous system activity (this is the flight or fight response).
Walking has been extremely beneficial for me from a physical and emotional health perspective over the years. The summer of my Mom and Grandmother’s deaths, I met a friend often 2-4 times a week for an hour walk. Together we processed what was going on in our lives (she had left a job and was returning to school). Those morning walks grounded me. I physically felt better but was also processing and receiving socialization.
With my passion for the benefit for walking, I’m excited to announce a new life coaching option for those in the Lexington and Central Kentucky area.
Walk and Talk Coaching combines an hour of life coaching during a walk along a path or trail in the local area. Not only will there be the benefit of working with a life coach but also the benefit of physically walking. Walking can lead to quicker problem solving, creativity and those needed”ah-ha’ moments. It is my hope as a life coach to help my clients discover their strengths and build upon their dreams.
Who would benefit from walk and talk coaching sessions?
Anyone struggling with any of the following.
- Struggles and changes with health and wellness
- Personal life goals and decision making
- Balance in everyday life
- Career path
- Personal Growth
- A recent relocation or transition
- Your stage of life: recent graduate, newly married, divorce, retirement
- Motivation
- Managing stress and anxiety in your life
There are three Walk and Talk Coaching packages ranging from a single Talk It Out Session to the 5 session Finding Your Path Package. Each session will include a phone call assessment to discuss focus and issues and will include email contact with me afterwards.
I know the power and benefit of walking and look forward to adding this to my life coaching services. If you are interested in discussing Walk and Talk Coaching, please contact me at sheryl@howtomakealife.com
For those not in the Central Kentucky area, I encourage you to discover the benefit of walking by getting outdoors today.
I love taking walks. I have noticed that I get a lot of cool ideas and get a lot of inspiration when I go on walks.
I love walking. On most days I’ll take a long walk with my Labrador Flex, sometimes I wonder who I do it for most: him or me? 🙂 As a fellow coach I love your walk and talk coaching sessions. I know of a therapist that does beach walks in Florida, but this type of nature walks also sound the best. Thanks for sharing x
What a cool project! My husband runs nearly every day–at least a few times I week, I go out with him and walk along the same track that he runs. It’s not really together time since he’s running and I’m just moseying along, but I love being out in nature and having time with my own daydreams and thoughts!
Oooo this made me feel really positive because I walk every morning for at least 45min 🙂
Julia // The Sunday Mode
I really do love a good walk and I need to make more time for it! I do try to get up from my desk during the week to get steps in, I’ll have to make a point to do it more often.
I love walking. I don’t do it enough anymore.
Ahhhh, as a recent transplant to an office environment (coming from the classroom!), this is so crucial for me. I feel like I’m going crazy at my desk every day so this week my goal is to get up every half hour!
So funny–I just added this to my list of goals for April 🙂 I have always loved walking and try to do this a few times a day (having a dog certainly helps me get exercise in!). But sometimes I fall short and need the reminder. Thanks for sharing this, love that you are offering this with your coaching <3
I really do need to walk more, mainly for exercise but it’s nice to get outside and soak up some of that Vitamin D. Hopefully the weather will cooperate more and I can do it more often, since I MOSTLY sit at work.
Congrats on your new endeavor – I wish you the best of luck.
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com
once upon a time, i walked five miles a day. i’d been preparing for a two week vacation in europe with my cousins, the youngest of whom was i think a junior in high school at the time. they are active and athletic. i’ve got two decades on them. i wanted to be able to keep up. the moment i got back, though, i stopped. i should not have done that.
I love this! Now that the weather is getting nicer, I plan to go for a walk everyday possible. I do feel at my best and more balanced during the summer months. 🙂
I love taking a walk in the park! It helps me clear my head 🙂
This is so cool! I love the idea. Walking is my favorite thing to do. I often meditate while walking and just take in the world around me. It is so cleansing!
I got a new knee in July and walking now is a joy. I still don’t do it enough.
Thanks for this reminder about the benefits of walking. I need to get out and walk more. It is greatly beneficial both physically and mentally.