Let’s talk about Autumn (or Fall, if you’re from Central Minnesota -like me), and the number one thing that most people stop doing when this time of year comes around – getting outdoors.
While summer may strike you as the best time to be outside as much as possible – Fall is an even better time to enjoy the outdoors – especially where I am now in Southern California. You miss the oppressive heat of Summer, and cooler breezes push the haze away from the mountains. ( and it comes with a whole lot of health benefits too!)…
Bright blue and sunny skies; crisp ground; trees painted in bright reds, oranges and yellows; – how could you not be drawn into spending more time outside making the most of the scenery?
While many of us put our favorite walking shoes to the back of the closet the minute that summer starts to fade, what if I told you that taking a gentle stroll in the Fall has a great impact on your health, and can even lift your mood and fend the ‘winter blues’ despite the dark nights drawing in?
Just Take a Look at Some of These Fall Walking Plus-points:
▪ Clear views of the mountains with some hints of color change of the trees.
▪ Huge panoramas under bright blue skies
▪ Seasonal wildlife
▪ Less crowded walking routes
▪ Stunning clear mornings and golden sunsets
▪ Kicking up the leaves
More tempted now?…
There are many reasons why I like going for walks, you don’t have to move at a fast pace like running, and it’s very unlikely to cause any injuries that prevent you from doing what you love.
Everyone can walk!
Also, you don’t need any equipment (like you do with most sports), and it’s the foundation for good health.
So, with that said, let’s take a look at some of the ways walking enhances our life…
It Blows Your Stress Away
What do I do when I need to get away from a stressful day? I go for a walk! Preferably surrounded by nature. But, even around the neighborhood is good for me.
For me, I’ll pop my Audible selection on in my ear buds and try to learn something while walking. And if I happened to pick a good book, I’ll end up walking further, so I can consume more of the audio book.
If you’re not into audio books, going for a walk anywhere in a natural setting is going to reduce your stress levels.
Lowers Your Risk Of Alzheimer’s
Believe it or not, walking can actually be good for your mind and overall mental health.
According to a study by the Alzheimer’s foundation, people in their 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s who walked more than a quarter of a mile a day had half the incidence of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
It Tones You Up!
It might seem pretty obvious that exercise can help you build, and tone your muscles, but this especially holds true when it comes to walking.
Walking helps maintain your legs, and midsection – just be sure to be aware of your posture that you’re not slouching over, and your head is held up high.
Keeps You Moving No Matter What Age!
Walking (no matter what age you are) can help you stay mobile and independent even in your 70’s and beyond!
It keeps your joints moving so they don’t seize up, and your body strong – reducing the likelihood that you’ll be affected later on in life with something like knee and hip pain.
Burns Calories!
And way more than you think!
Brisk walking raises your heart rate, helps you get more fit, and keeps you from feeling tired.
If you walk briskly for just 30 minutes, you can burn up to 150 calories – which is equal to the number you’d burn playing doubles tennis for the same length of time. And it’s more than half the number of calories in the average chocolate bar!
Although the exact number you burn depends on your body weight, age and fitness, there’s no denying that walking more is a good thing.
So there you have it, 5 reasons why you should keep active this Fall and explore more with walking.
Keep active all year round, so by the time the warmer months come round, you can keep active for longer without risking any injuries, or slight irritations dampening your day.
If you’re looking for help on how to maintain your health from your 40s through the rest of your life, so you could pack more living into your life, reach out at formfunctionpt@gmail.com and let us know what your need help with.
