While this is understandable, it's well to realize that walking for 20 minutes can restore lost energy and lift the spirit. Exercise enhances feelings of well-being and reduces depression and anxiety. It improves our ability to handle stress, which is why it is so important to work some exercise into a packed schedule. Exercise also promotes a good night's sleep, something we need at this time of year. We don't need to be training for a marathon or engaging in a strenuous fitness program to reap the benefits.
Moderate exercise is better for improving mood than excessively long, strenuous workouts.
The goal is to feel pleasantly tired, a normal feeling after any physical activity. Walking for 20 minutes three to five times a week can reap physical as well as mental benefits in a relatively short time. Begin at your own pace and eventually build up to 45 minutes of walking. The idea is not to overdo it, but to start slowly and go at a comfortable pace. Vow to treat yourself right this holiday season and on into the new year.