5 Reasons Walking is the Absolute, Best Exercise

A strange thing happened the other day. I went to take my terrier Libby for our daily stroll. Gathering her leash and harness, I tried to put them on, but she hung back. It was cold out which usually doesn’t bother her, but today she decided, meh. Usually, I’d put her gear away and walk the next day. But I realized I wanted—no, I needed—to go anyway. I saw how walking gives five great benefits…

Cardio—You’d be surprised what 15 minutes a day can do. In almost any weather, I’ll hike around our neighborhood and down and back up our hilly driveway. When I first started, I felt out of breath when I reached my house. Now I feel invigorated. With exercise, I’ve learned small, incrementable steps (okay, very small) add up. Experts say it’s better than sporadic, all-out effort. How can this gentler way of movement not be wonderful?

Being in Nature – I take the same route each day, but it changes, depending on light, season, and time. Right now, March trees are bare, and the air can still get raw in southern Connecticut. But at the edges, spring is peeking out. A flock of geese flew by the other day and their noisy honks filled me with joy. The first shoots of daffodils are poking up next to our driveway. In someone’s yard, I saw buds on a rhododendron bush. Walking brings us close to nature, and I love that.

Solving problems, or even better—forgetting them – It’s nice just to concentrate on the road ahead. Many times, when I get home, I have a fresh perspective. Sometimes I’ll muddle through something that’s been eluding me. The answer won’t always surface, but I get closer. Other times I get distracted by the blue heron standing next to our neighborhood pond. Or I’ll wave to the group of young moms waiting for the school bus at the end of the road. After that, I’ll revisit the problem, and sometimes the answer awaits.

Mood improves – Many times, I can go out cranky and come back mellow. Maybe it’s the “feel good” endorphins, maybe it’s just getting perspective, which Mother Nature provides in spades. The natural world quietly goes about its business, unhurried, subject to its own rhythms. Being outside, everything gets put into perspective, soothing for jangled nerves. I love the constancy of the outdoors, the precise order that never changes, despite the swirling, crazy world of humans.

Feeling virtuous – Sometimes my 89-year-old mom joins me, and we walk up the dead-end street next door, about a thirty-minute stroll. Yes, it’s hardly trekking the Himalayas, but we always feel happy after. I can goof off after and feel like I did something worthwhile. Later, we have that just-exercised glow that lasts all day. Walking in nature is like going to church for us—reviving, inspiring, and peace-making.

That day I went out solo, I came back to find Libby lying on the living room rug, waiting. She’s older now, but I told her that’s no excuse. She should get out there. Libby thought about this, yawned, and went back to sleep.

Now when Libby gives a “meh” response to walking, I go myself. What started as a way to keep her in shape, has become something important for me too. When I come back, Libby’s always waiting at the window. I give a wave and she runs to greet me at the door.

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