“I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.”
-John Muir
It’s the oldest form or transportation known to humankind. But it’s also arguably the most satisfying. We’ve been doing it since we crawled out of the ocean and started breathing oxygen. And while we’ve certainly developed faster and noisier ways of getting from Point A to Point B, there are few that are as intensely satisfying. It gives us challenge and a good workout when we need it. But it gives us solitude and respite when we need that too. It’s many things to many people. And while nearly all of us do it, many of us don’t do enough of it but we should as there are at least 4 ways walking will benefit your life and health.
We’re talking, of course, about walking. While the invention of the wheel (and later the internal combustion engine) may have revolutionized the way we get around, the oldest method is the best for a variety of reasons. Here we’ll look at some of the ways in which walking can benefit your life and your health.
It’s the best way to experience your travel destinations
Sure, guided coach tours, open-top bus rides and river cruises are a lot of fun. But when it comes to healthy and immersive travel, there’s no substitute for putting on your walking shoes and pounding some pavement. Ambling around your travel destinations affords you a wonderful experience that helps you get to know life on the ground as the locals experience it. You can stop to admire a beautiful tree or architectural flourish.
You can see what’s hidden away in a little nook or side street. You can find the cafes, bars and tavernas that are off the beaten track. You have complete control over your travel itinerary. Plus you can burn off some calories and really work up an appetite.
Which brings us to…
It keeps you healthy and happy at any age
As we get older we may find that we can’t spend as much time at the weight bench or the treadmill. Indeed, we may even need to invest in a good quality walking cane to get around comfortably. Nonetheless, walking not only burns calories and gets your heart pumping, it can help to strengthen the muscles that support your hips, knees and ankles, improve your mental health and can even improve the brain’s resistance to Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of cognitive decline that can affect us as we get older.
It reminds you of the hidden treasures on your doorstep
Walking isn’t just for discovering the lesser known gems when you travel. It can also remind you of the hidden treasures that you drive past almost every day that are right on your doorstep. And rediscovering them can make for a much happier and more satisfying weekend than trudging around the mall of vegetating in front of the TV. Which brings us to…
It gets you out in the fresh air
We all know that spending time outdoors in the presence of plants, flowers, trees birds and animals is a proven mood booster. One that many of us need more than ever in these uncertain times.
Get out, get walking and enjoy those benefits!
