I finally found the perfect exercise. There’s no need to change into your gym kit, you can do it anytime at a low cost, it’s time-efficient, and it’s gentle enough to do every day. It is beneficial not only for physical health but also for mental health, and it affects your health even after 8 hours.
What is this miracle fitness routine? walk. And hurray, you don’t even have to hit the treadmill to do it. In fact, according to certified psychologist and author of “Winter Self-Care” by Susie Reading, the key to getting the most benefit from walking is to avoid going to the gym. It takes place outside.
The reason why this is a great workout is because it physically challenges the entire muscle group, and the benefit of this exercise is the environmentally friendly element, which makes spending about 20 minutes a day outdoors very Because it’s important. This is a place where you can actually enjoy several hours of mental health benefits after a short walk.
Susie explains that being outdoors and in nature is scientifically proven to change brain function for the better. “Access to some trees, birds, and the sky suppresses the active parts of the brain responsible for anxious thoughts, which opens up our ‘panoramic gaze’ and nearsighted vision and stimulates the nervous system. It calms me down.”
Recent studies have confirmed that walking in natural environments has even more benefits for mental health, including reducing hostility, sadness, and anger.
It’s important to time your walk before work to get the most benefit. Ideally within a few hours of waking up, definitely before lunch. This is because the circadian rhythm is triggered when sunlight hits the retina in the eye directly. This works even if it’s gray outside. Therefore, the known effects of light on circadian rhythms are mediated by the retina, so if you go out in the morning, avoid wearing sunglasses to allow light into your eyes.
Additionally, it helps regulate the brain’s production of serotonin, a happy and calming chemical. When there is less sunlight, there is less serotonin available. Vitamin D plays an important role because it affects serotonin levels, and your body needs natural light to produce more vitamin D.
Walking outside has a direct effect on the quality of your sleep at night, as it is linked to your circadian rhythm. Additionally, there is a link between sunlight and immunity, with walking outside activating and increasing the movement of cells throughout the body.
Will this also be effective for city dwellers? Of course, a walk in a woodland is ideal, but a small park or main street in the city will also suffice.
Susie says, “If we’re feeling stuck, whether our whole lives are at a standstill or it’s just a temporary problem, this kind of external movement can make us more resourceful and creative. , which has been proven to leverage problem-solving skills.
Studies have shown that although you may feel more awake for a few hours after a walk, you may feel sleepy by the time it’s time for bed. You’ll also be less likely to reach for coffee or sugary snacks, more likely to make better food choices, and ultimately more likely to stick with your daily walk, driving a powerful uphill spiral. I will.
If you’re wondering if jogging can be just as effective, you’re right. But that means getting dressed and showering, which I personally take shortcuts to achieve the same health.
