Are you looking for the perfect low-impact, easy to start exercise? Walking is just the thing for you. Walking is easy to fit into your daily routine and contributes to cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength and a natural upright posture.
Exercise is an essential aspect of overall wellbeing, but it can also have a direct impact on your spinal health. Walking is an easy way to help strengthen your spine and contribute to better posture leading to less back pain and other spinal issues in the future.
Here are some tips to help you get walking this spring:
Set Goals
Set achievable goals for yourself. It could be as simple as walking 30-minutes three to four times a week or reaching 10,000 steps a day. Whatever helps motivate you to get started. It only takes 21 days to form a habit, so set whatever goal will help get you up and moving. Later on, you may like to add other goals like walking a certain distance or walking up a certain amount of stairs. These kinds of goals will help keep you motivated.
Incorporate Walking into your Routine
Morning: A walk at the start of your day is a great way to get your exercise for the day done early, allowing you to enjoy the rest of your day without stressing about when you'll be able to fit it in. Waking up a little bit earlier and getting a 30-minute walk in is a great way to kick-start your day and energise yourself for the day ahead.
Lunchtime: If you can commit to not working through lunch and taking a midday walk as a break it's a great way to not only get your exercise in but also to clear your head by getting some fresh air. It can help refresh yourself for the rest of the day.
Afternoon/night: A 30-minute walk in the afternoon is a great way to decompress after a long day at work. You could get your family involved and use it as a time to spend together and talk about your days.
Walk Somewhere You Enjoy
Whether you're a fan of the city, suburbs, or nature walking in an environment that you feel comfortable in is a great way to keep motivated. Maybe you make it a routine to go to walking trails or go on a walk in the city during your lunch break. Where ever it is that makes you more likely to get moving, that's where you should be.