The Unexpected Benefits of Walking

It's no secret that walking is a great way to get fresh air and exercise, but the benefits don't stop there. Unlike a high intensity workout where all of your focus is on what you're doing and wanting that to be over, walking can be a much more pleasant activity with plenty of room to get creative and mold your experience to fit your mood. Take a casual, contemplative stroll or go all out with your maximum effort to really burn some calories—the choice is yours! Here are a few ways that squeezing in your steps each day can benefit more than your health...

Whether you're looking at a screen for work or for play, you need to step away from it every once in a while. As the old saying goes, there can be too much of a good thing...especially when that good thing enables you to play Candy Crush for hours on end. Give your eyes a rest and mind an adventure just by setting down your tablet or closing your laptop and going for a walk.

...Or podcasts...or audiobooks. If you can enjoy just listening to it, it's the perfect companion for a walk. Unlike binge-watching, which is best done on the couch with whatever snacks you can get your hands on, walking allows you to feast on whatever albums or true-crime murder mysteries you've "heard good things about," but didn't have the time or distance away from a television to enjoy. You're also free from the sensibilities of anyone you share space with, so definitely don't be afraid to crank up the volume or choose something niche.

As long as you're wearing the proper protective gear and stay at least six feet apart from them, walking is a great way to see some people you don't live with and exchange pleasantries without having to worry about a bad Wi-Fi connection. Depending on how much of a social life you've been able to maintain, maybe even a simple wave will be enough to satisfy your communal cravings. Whatever you feel comfortable with and keeps everyone safe.

Going for a walk is the activity that keeps on giving. You're not just getting some fresh air and exercise, you're getting out of the house and putting yourself, if you so choose, in an incredible position to actually run those errands you've been putting off. Depending on where you live and how long you're willing to walk, everywhere you need to go is simply steps away—so grab a gallon of milk or mail the letter that's been sitting on the counter for weeks. Better yet, ask around to see if perhaps there's a homebound neighbor who needs something you can get for them and do some good while you're out.

Walking gives you the ability to customize your surroundings and keep them to yourself. Don't like the room you're in? Walk to a different one. Don't like the street you're walking down? Keep on going until you've reached a new road that interests you. If anyone gets too close or spoils the scenery, leave them in the dust. It's your walk, not theirs.

When you're stuck inside all day, it's easy to feel cut off from the world that surrounds you—or even forget that the world exists. Going for a walk is an amazing way to remind yourself that you're part of a community that exists beyond your household or workspace. Sure, there are ways to feel connected online...but it just isn't the same.

Whether the goal is simply to get moving or 10,000 steps, walking provides an opportunity to put yourself to the test. Download an app that tracks how far and often you walk or create a criteria of your own (keep walking until you see ten red cars, etc.)—whatever it takes to keep yourself motivated and passing milestones.

One of the best things about walking is that if you just keep going, you'll almost always find new paths to go down and new things to see. Pick a direction and don't stop until you hit water (or a dead end sign) and enjoy an adventure. If you're a bit less of a free spirit, open up a map and plan an excursion that will undoubtedly be a nice alternative to the walls in your house. Your trek doesn't even have to be a wooded trail. Mix things up just by hoofing it to a new hobby shop.

When you go out on a walk, you never know what you'll see—or inspire you. Maybe the church bells you hear on your next walk will inspire you to write the next great American novel or the ad you see for english muffins will inspire you to buy english muffins. The key is to keep your eyes peeled, mind open, and feet moving.