Throughout much of history, teaching and learning (and writing and thinking) didn't just happen in a classroom with rows. That's something that gathered momentum in the industrial era. Way before that, great teachers like Plato and Aristotle conducted their teaching on walks.
Now I’m not saying I’m a timeless philosopher, nor a great teacher, but 3-4 years ago I started experimenting with the idea of using walking to generate ideas and enjoy distraction-free conversation with both clients and friends – and I can say, hand on heart, that it works. A walk‘n’talk meeting is my favourite kind of meeting and I am grateful that I have the health to do it.
But aside from a fantastic way to catch up with a friend, client or work colleague, walking is what we were built to do, literally. In today’s blog, I take a look at some of the benefits of this most simple – but important – of human movements.
1. Walking Aids Weight Loss
Walking is a great aerobic exercise and an effective way to kick start (or restart) your metabolism; so if you’re looking for an easy way to burn some calories, grab a friend and head out for a walk.
2. Walking Regulates Blood Pressure
Walking improves circulation which can help lower blood pressure. The best way to do this is to try and complete the recommended 10,000 steps a day, but if you’re unable to do this then walking for at least 30 minutes every day will help keep your blood pressure levels in check. PS, I rarely cover 10k in a day… if you’re desk bound in work, I hear ya!
3. Walking Strengthens Bones and Eases Joint Movements
Walking strengthens bones by improving the lubrication between joints and toning your muscles. And as well as bone and ligaments, it obviously tones muscle too. Toning up and catching up with friends? Now that is an exercise I can easily stick at!
4. Walking Increases Lung Capacity
When you walk, you breathe in more oxygen compared to when you are stationary. This exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide at a larger volume can help increase your lung capacity, thereby increasing your stamina and exercise performance. It’s good for your sexual health too with all that stamina building!
5. Walking Boosts Immune Functions
Walking helps reduce frequent attacks of infection and boosts immunity. Walking 30 minutes twice a week for 10 weeks is proven to improve immune function and infection risk. FACT.
6. Walking Uplifts Mood & Reduces Stress
Several scientific studies have proven that physical activity can help prevent depression. Walking can help reduce stress levels by improving circulation, which, in turn, provides nutrients and oxygen to the cells. It also stimulates the nervous system receptors and decreases the production of stress hormones.! For me, I often head out for a walk whenever I am feeling out of sorts or even tired and run down. There is just something about the fresh air and getting out into nature that makes me feel so much better. I am lucky to live by the sea and will often head out for a coastal walk in the morning –there really is no better way to start the day! It’s such a simple way to get stress-free
7. Walking Improves memory
Walk every day to give your memory power a boost. Japanese scientists have found that walking can help improve the memory of older patients. Research suggests that physical exercise increases the size of the hippocampus while sedentary lifestyle shrinks the hippocampus, leading to memory loss.
Feet First - Getting started..
Literally, you just put one foot in front of the other and begin! Kind of. First up you need decent shoes which will support your feet and protect them too if necessary. Most modern trainers will foot the bill (excuse the bad pun) and walking boots are even better on tricky terrain.
And now to the feat itself (another bad pun, SORRY!)… Incorporating walking into your daily routine isn’t always as easy as it seems, and often the best intentions don’t work out as life simply just gets in the way (and it can be hard to get motivated in those dark, cold mornings and nights when the sofa & a good box set is so much more inviting!) So, to keep you motivated why not ask a friend to join you? It means you can encourage each other (it’s also harder to cancel plans with others than it is to cancel plans with yourself, making the sofa situation less likely to occur!)
Another idea which I have mentioned in other blogs is getting off the bus a stop earlier and walking the rest – or better still, ditch the car or bus altogether and walk the journey instead (if it is safe to do so). You will feel SO much better.
We are lucky in Ireland to be surrounded by beautiful landscapes. I try and discover new walking routes as often as I can and it also means I get to see more of our country which I love. Some of my favourite spots for walking are: the Mourne Mountains, Cave Hill, the Lagan Towpath, ANY of our coastal walks in the North West (the Nun’s Path in Portstewart and pretty much any beach in Donegal are all fab), and Crawfordsburn Country Park and the entire north down coastal path (which is right by my house) are all great too. For easier rambles and strolls, many of the National Trust venues often have beautiful walks in gardens and estates which are picture perfect as well as energising!
In short, walking is a great aerobic exercise that is easy to do but yields massive health benefits. Try to aim to walk 10,000 steps a day and it won’t be long before you are feeling the results, but don’t beat yourself up if you don’t get straight to it or maintain that level on a daily basis. We’re only human after all!