After reading in a few different places that gardening, swimming, and walking provide some of the best whole-body exercise, I committed to walking one mile every day. I am only getting older … I am determined to be proactive and put in my best effort for great mental and physical health into my old age!
Use the tracking printable for Homeschool P.E.! It is a gentle yet effective activity for the entire family!
It just so happened that the day I decided to start walking one mile every day was January 1st, so I started fresh with the New Year. I have been walking for 20 minutes daily for almost seven months now (minus one time)! In the rain, snow, sleet, ice, and heat of the Pacific Northwest … I have persevered!
It doesn’t need to be a new year for you to start, though. Walking daily is beneficial for achieving long-term healthy habits and lifestyle goals, regardless of when you start. I challenge you to start walking one mile every day! Sign up and use the free 30-day Walking Tracker PDF for motivation!
The printable includes a place to track your daily water intake. Staying properly hydrated is so important to your health! I have been drinking a glass of about 16oz. of warm water with a splash of lemon juice and a couple of pinches of mineral salt first thing every morning for several months. The Standard American Diet is lacking real minerals and electrolytes, so it is important to be intentional about adding those to your daily diet.
Walking One Mile Every Day
One source that I trust is Trim Healthy Mama. They shared a post on Facebook years ago highlighting why walking can make a huge impact on health. I will give the outline here, but you can go to their FB page to read the detailed information. Walking …
- Keeps Your Brain Young
- Protects Your Heart
- Strengthens Your Bones
- Boosts Your Immune System
Aren’t those amazing reasons to devote 20 minutes to walking every day? I think so!
Here are some mental health reasons you should consider walking one mile every day …
- Enhances mood and reduces stress through the release of endorphins.
- Increases energy levels and improves overall stamina for daily activities.
- Regular walking can improve cognitive function and mental clarity over time.
- Engaging in walking outdoors can also enhance mood and reduce stress.
- Consistent walking routines may lead to long-term improvements in brain health and function.
The first thing I noticed when I started walking every day was that I had a sudden increase in headaches. Those continued for a few weeks. My sister is a Certified Natural Health Professional, so I consulted her plus did my own research to conclude the following:
- Walking promotes blood circulation, enhancing oxygen delivery to the brain.
- Increased heart rate during walking improves overall oxygen levels in the body.
- Walking increases overall physical activity, which can enhance lung capacity.
- It promotes better oxygen exchange in the lungs through increased breathing rate.
- Regular walking can strengthen respiratory muscles, improving efficiency.
- Walking outdoors exposes you to fresh air, which can benefit lung health.
I have Sarcoidosis of the lungs (diagnosed in 2012). While it has been mostly inactive since I started treating it naturally, my lung function is not top-notch. The increase of oxygen to my lungs, heart, brain, and entire body may have caused the headaches as my body adjusted to more oxygen. It proved to me that I needed the daily walking, because I know I need the oxygen! I am happy to say the headaches went 100% away after a few weeks. Since I started walking several months ago, my energy has improved, I haven’t gotten sick with anything, I think clearly, and I feel great overall.
Walking can Double as a Date
Another awesome benefit is that my husband has been walking with me (minus two times), so it is a great date night at home. We have been aiming for around 7-8pm every evening. We usually put our children into their bedrooms to wind down for the night (they read, etc., until lights out at 9:30) and walk up and down the driveway for 20 minutes alone … we can talk about anything and everything. Some of our children have joined us a few times, too, especially as summer kicks in and daylight lasts longer. It can be a family activity! We have thoroughly enjoyed it – and my husband has felt improvement in his mental and physical health, too!
Circling back to my opening statement about gardening, swimming, and walking being some of the best full-body workouts … I garden seasonally, but never swim. Walking one mile every day has given me consistent exercise. I am gaining better health, one step at a time!
If you want to turn your walking into a workout, then check out this course!
Ready to ditch the S.A.D. (standard American diet) and embrace a h.a.p.p.y. (healthy, adaptable, purposeful, practical, yummy) LIFESTYLE? Grab my health and fitness planner HERE! Follow my h.a.p.p.y. lifestyle coaching account on Instagram HERE.
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