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Did you know there’s one simple thing you can do to enhance the quality of your life and help you enjoy a longer one?
Well, there is, and I’m going to tell you about it. But first, I must ask you to read and agree to my semi-standard disclaimer:
This post isn’t meant to be medical advice because I’m neither a doctor nor a nurse. I’ve never even spent as much as one night in a Holiday Inn Express! In short, taking medical advice from me would be like taking flying lessons from a penguin. Therefore, if after reading this post your car starts working only in reverse, your cat starts placing (and losing) online bets with your credit card or you end up in traction surrounded by dozens of “get well soon” cards it won’t be the fault of your humble blogger (namely me).
If you agree to every thing I said above, feel free to continue reading on past the horizontal line below. If not, no hard feelings and I hope you have a fabulous day!
You’re still reading? Awesome – here we go!
Yes, there really is one thing you and I can do that can help us live longer and healthier lives. I know what you’re thinking…
“Here comes that dreaded exercise word!”
Well, you’re partially right because what I’m about to suggest is indeed a form of exercise, but it doesn’t have to be done on any kind of routine. You can actually do it simply by making a few small changes to the way you go about your everyday life.
Of course as my semi-standard disclaimer above implied, you should check with your doctor before making any major lifestyle change that involves exercise but I have a feeling most docs would agree with me about this one.
So what’s this simple potentially life-changing suggestion? Start walking more!
As long there are no existing health issues that make it dangerous or impossible to do, walking is one of the best exercises you can do to increase your overall health and mental well-being. And the best thing about it is you don’t have to create any kind of new exercise routine to enjoy its benefits.
Yes, walking longer distances on a regular basis is ideal, but by no means is it necessary for improving your overall health. Here are a few examples:
1 – Do you stop your car at your mailbox to retrieve your mail every time you return home in the evening? Instead, you could start parking your car and walking back to the mailbox – and then back to the house. While that’s likely to be a pretty short walk, it’s still a walk and ANY walk helps!
2 – When you go shopping do you park your car as close to the store’s entrance as possible? Try parking out in the boondocks of the parking lot instead. Walking even an extra 100 feet (both ways) every time you visit a store can be a big help.
3 – Do you mow your lawn with a riding mower? Consider investing in a light push mower and use it to mow part or all of your lawn.
4 – Do you quickly walk your dog in your backyard just long enough for it to do what dogs need to do outdoors? Instead, make several “laps” with the critter or even take it to a park for an occasional change of surroundings. (These extended walks will actually benefit both of you.)
5 – Do you have a large house that has more than one bathroom? Develop a habit of walking to the most distant bathroom instead of always using the closest one.
There are actually many ways to add more walking to your lifestyle without feeling like you’re “exercising”. I’ll bet there are several you can think of in no time.
As I mentioned above, longer walks are better than shorter walks, but ANY walk is beneficial. Just do what you can, when you can.
If you’d like to start taking longer walks but you’d prefer to do it at home, you can do that as well with a good, but affordable treadmill like this one (affiliate link).
Bottom line: Walking is good and walking more is even better, but the only bad walk is the one you don’t take. Give it a try for a few weeks and see if you start feeling better. I have a hunch that you will.
And now, I need to book a stay at a Holiday Inn Express. (Hey, I have to build up my list of credentials somehow, right?)
To finish up, here’s a short video with an actual doctor explaining the many health benefits of walking. It really helped me and I believe it’ll help you as well.