The Benefits Of Going For A Walk Outside

It’s a nice, crisp wintery day as I’m writing this and I’m about to head outside for a walk. It’s one of my favorite things to do when I have a lot of work on my plate and start to feel a little overwhelmed. That’s right…. When the work starts piling up, one of the most productive things you can do is walk away from it and go for a nice little stroll outside.

If you’ve been following my blog, you know that I follow and teach the philosophy of the Indian Proverb A House With Four Rooms which states we must do something daily for our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. Walking is a way to visit each of these metaphorical rooms.

Here’s why.

 Walking away and just getting away from it all for a bit helps you get some distance from what you’re working on. When we’re overwhelmed, it’s hard to see the big picture. That makes it impossible to make smart decisions about things like prioritizing, delegating, and scrapping projects. What you need is a bit of distance and clarity. Go for a short walk to make that happen.

Walking away from my computer, even for just a short period of time, helps me return with fresh eyes. This is especially important when I’m writing or editing a manuscript. Computer work can be taxing on our eyes and bodies. We need to get up and move around.

We can work hard with a lot of focus for a while. But it’s not a state we can stay in for very long. After a while, we get tired, slow down, and start to make mistakes. In other words, we need a bit of a break. Going out for a walk gives you that break and you can come back refreshed and ready to tackle your next set of tasks.

 Sitting at your desk all day isn’t good for you. Your shoulders hunch forward, your back starts to cramp up and it does a number on your posture. Sure, you can do some stretches and make an effort to stand up and move around more. But there’s nothing more effective than going for a brisk walk – aside from a visit to your friendly neighborhood chiropractor maybe. Give your shoulders, back, and neck a break and work out the kinks with a nice walk in the fresh air.

 Speaking of fresh air… it helps you get more oxygen in your body. Between the fresh air, the sunshine, and the beauty of nature around you, you can’t help but relax and feel better outside. That’s why it’s so important to take that walk outside in nature instead of hopping on the treadmill or walking at your local mall.

 I hope I have inspired you to give going for a walk outside a try. Not only does it have a lot of benefits for your productivity and your health, it’s also fun and relaxing and just plain good for you. Go out there and enjoy the fresh air and the sunshine.

Tying up my laces...until next time...

Lisa

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