WHAT:
This habit is about going for a walk each day – or at least as often as possible.
WHY:
Walking more throughout the day is one of the simplest and most reliable ways to boost your overall health and wellbeing. It can improve cardiovascular fitness, reduce stress, and increase your daily energy expenditure.
More specifically though, dedicating time to go for a daily walk is a great way to keep you anchored to a healthy lifestyle.
- Some people go for a walk first thing in the morning to help themselves wake up and mentally prepare for the day ahead.
- Some people go for a walk during lunchtime to take a mental break from work and to give their body some physical relief from sitting all day.
- Some people go for a walk after work to help them unwind from the work day and transition from “work mode” to “home mode” or “family mode”.
- Some people go for a walk to be alone with their thoughts, while others go for a walk to connect with others.
Whatever your reason is, going for a daily walk at almost any time of the day is almost always a good idea. It’s become more important than ever before in our sedentary and convenience-driven world.
HOW:
There’s not much to it, other than picking a time of day that suits your schedule and pre-committing to going for your daily walk.
Don’t overthink it, just walk.
Once you’re in a decent routine, see if you can scale the habit up a bit by focusing on your posture and/or breathing while walking.
If you’re faced the the challenge of bad weather or unsafe walking environments, consider walking around the shopping center.
TIPS:
✅ Make a commitment by choosing a specific time to go for a walk.
✅ Set an alarm or notification to remind you about your walk.
✅ Prepare accordingly by having your walking shoes on hand and giving yourself enough time in your schedule to go for a walk – even if it’s just 5 minutes.
✅ Listen to your favourite music, a podcast, or an audiobook while walking.
✅ If possible, boost your accountability and enjoyment by teaming up with a walking buddy. You can even have a virtual walking buddy where you send each other photos from your walk for accountability.