Why walking is important

Walking is said to be a great relief for stress. You are able to take time away from the daily grind.  As you head outside, you are far away from the everyday scenes of home or work.  By stepping away from these things – phone calls, email, computer work, etc., you can step away from the work and instead take in the sights and sounds of outside. You are also away from people that ask you to do things – supervisors, co-workers, or family members.
 
Removing yourself from the daily routine is one benefit of walking.  As long as you’re outdoors, you cannot see the workplace equipment or machinery, nor hear the voices of family members or those you work with.  You are also away from chores and responsibilities, even if for a short while.  Hence, you are less likely to worry or become upset by some unexpected event.  You can relax and take in the scenery.

Even more ways walking relieves stress as listed are as follows:
Breathing fresh, clean air
Allows you to unwind those tense muscles
Reconnect with yourself while getting your body in motion.
Puts mental and physical distance between you and the stress-causing stimuli in your every day environment.
Gives you the opportunity to laugh and talk freely with your walking partner.  You also have an opportunity to vent to them, expressing what or who is bothering you or causing problems.
Helps you burn off calories from foods ingested due to stress.

Endorphins released by walking

In addition to relieving stress, walking enables one’s body to release endorphins, or so called “happy drugs.”  Physicians commonly recommend walking as not only an exercise, but as a natural treatment to cope with depression.  Wildly swining moods are often signs of stress or depression.  Endorphins can do for you naturally what prescription drugs and herbs can do artificially.

A 1999 study in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine showed that college students who walked or did moderate exercise were less stressed than couch potatoes or those who exercised vigorously.

Walking with a partner

Walking with a partner gives you an opportunity to share your thoughts with them.  Walking partners can talk privately about issues in their lives.  A couple could also get some much-needed alone time, unlikely to be interrupted.  The more deeply each converses, the more they enjoy each other’s company.  When you’re happier, more stress is relieved.  So put on your favorite walking shoes, and enjoy a pleasant walk.