Go for walks. It will change your life.
Tags: Covid-19, Mental Health Awareness, Lifestyle, Walking, Wellbeing

2020 has been a rollercoaster of a year, and it’s certainly a understatement to say it’s. been rough. Whether it be the sudden problem of unemployment or having to isolate from your loved one, we have all been hit by a chain of events we could have never imagined. Yet there is the comfort knowing that we aren’t quite alone, this pandemic has affected the whole world, so this is a universal fight. And whilst similar reminders are frequently posted this can only provide so much comfort to the lone souls shut indoors. I myself felt the desperate helplessness when I was forced to quarantine despite my introverted persona, so I can’t imagine how the extroverts among us feel. As soon as I was given the green light to leave my bedroom and the four walls that seemed to be suffocating me, I had the urge to do something outdoors, something with my friends, but how could I? We were still in a national lockdown, and I still had to be responsible. However, no government rules had condemned me from taking walks, that would practically be stealing ones sanity. And in my particular reigon I had been given the liberty to meet with others, as long as the group remained to be total of 1 — 5 people. So naturally I started taking regular walks with my friend who lived locally.

It was the best decision we made.

Both of us agreed we felt physically and mentally relieved when on our daily walks, we often played music or brought snacks, but the essence of our meetings, the one necessary requirement was the element of the outdoors. Another agreement we both concluded to was how disgraceful it was that a pandemic had inspired this and we should have organized this long ago.

I cannot tell you how much these walks changed my whole day and in turn me as a person.

My head always felt so clear when out, whether this was because of the fresh air, the birds or the privilege I had of beautiful country views. As a result I often came home feeling more productive and I began hobbies I had previously wanted to start but had felt too depressed or lazy to think about. I also noticed my efficiency with studying had doubled, maybe because I wanted to finish quicker so I could leave the house or maybe it was the fact that I had a better mental state. I also had higher levels of physical activity throughout the week and I noticed changes in my physique such as more prominent calves and overall reduced body fat. Typically we would walk approximately 8 — 9km retuning either midday or evening depending on when we set off. The distance provided low intensity exercise, improving my cardiac functions which as a severe asthma patient I was truly in need of. I remember I dragged my dad and siblings out for a walk on a winter evening when we were all shivering even inside the house, my mum calling us crazy and shouting for my brother to put his hat on as we left. We ended up walking 9km that evening and retuned with some goodies for hot chocolate and a family movie night. Whilst on the walk we all agreed it was a good decision to have left because somehow we were all sweating and running to change into thinner clothes by the time we got back. My dad said had we stayed home, we would have just continued shivering and feeling sorry for ourselves. We wouldn’t have known what we missed. He said he would also make a new goal to go for walks more as he too couldn’t deny the mental gratification that was awarded with even 10 minute around the neighborhood. These are just the tip of the iceberg on the numerous benefits that have been proven by scientific research again and again. everything from lowering your blood pressure and reducing your risk of chronic diseases to making your brain sharper and your heart happier, not to mention improved sleep and creativity. As well as alleviation of joint pain and boosting the immune system. And the best part about walking is despite the numerous benefits, it’s the most accessible and inexpensive activity to partake in. It seems to good to be true but even infants can put one foot infront of the other and waddle alongside you. As long as you have the privilege to live in firstly a country that is not in national turmoil and secondly an area that is safe enough for you to walk alone, there’s absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t take a stroll outdoors.