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Readers continue to ask for more exercise articles, so today I am sharing with you the benefits of walking in nature ANY time of year!
It is winter, and you don’t typically think of winter as a time to walk in nature.
But it can actually be just what your mind, soul, and body need!
Walking for me is not just exercise, it is a time to de-stress, pray, and spend time with God. It is also a way to spend time with my family!
The Benefits of Walking In Nature ANY Time of Year
When my husband has a day off, we love to take a family walk at the park.
Winter is a tough time of year for me because I DO NOT like the cold weather. Thankfully, I live in Texas, so it isn’t that cold for us. We can get pretty chilly though, and last winter we had the “snowmaggedon” winter that knocked out power for days and pretty much shut down our state!
With arthritic joints, I just prefer the warmer weather.
But over the years, I have found that walking in nature (even in winter) is so beneficial for my health.
Side Note, I Can Walk For Miles in My Crocs!
You will notice I am walking in Crocs, but after knee surgery the only way I can walk without pain is in crocs. I have told everyone I know about wearing them, and now all my friends and family wear them too! Great for people who have knee and back pain while standing a lot or walking. I also have Croc tennis shoes that are amazing. Just a little note for anyone who might have issues with knee pain too.
Okay, back to the post! Here are my top benefits of walking in nature:
1. Fresh air is beneficial (and crucial) to your health
Being stuck inside all day is hard, so getting out in the fresh air is super helpful for your physical and mental health. Fresh air is scientifically proven to benefit digestion, blood pressure, and lung health. Just getting a good 30 minutes outside can improve your entire day.
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2. Walking is a great exercise
Walking outside not only gets you fresh air, but the exercise is one of the best for your health! Mayo Clinic lists out some benefits of brisk walking here, but it is just an all around fantastic exercise. If I don’t get another workout in, I love to add in a walk for an easy cardiovascular exercise.
3. It is a great de-stressing tool
If I have had a stressful day, one of the successful things I do to help stress is taking a walk in nature. It doesn’t matter how rough of a day it has been, the walk just soaks up the stress for me. I love being in God’s beauty, and it helps immensely.
4. It is also a great way to focus
Before Amelia was born, I took a walk every single morning in any weather. These walks were my thinking time. All the work I have done on Chemistry Cachet was done on one of those morning walks. Walking in nature gets you away from the daily chaos of the phone, computer, and all the household things needing to be done.
5. And walking in nature can be a great way to spend time with family
Walking doesn’t have to benefit just you, it can be a great way to be with your family. When my husband is off, we take Amelia to the park for a walk. We get quality time together without the distractions of the home. Some of our best talks have been on a walk outside!
We just enjoy walking in nature so much, and I hope this can inspire you to do it also! And if you already love walking outside, now you know it is truly amazing for your health!
If I am not able to do any regular exercising during a busy week, I always make time to get out for a walk. Even if it is just walking around the house with Amelia, it makes such a difference.
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Aussie Jo says
I do miss going for long bush walks
Alexis says
Walking outside is such a great exercise in many ways!