The Benefits of Walking More

By Alicia Wang

These past few weeks of quarantining have taught me the true value of walking outdoors. When the weather’s nice and I’ve got my earbuds in, I feel like a whole new person. Even if the sun isn’t out, the fresh, crisp air never fails to rejuvenate me after being cooped up in my room. Social distancing has affected my physical and mental state, but I’ve discovered that walking outdoors has really improved my overall well-being in both of those aspects. Before my epiphany, I thought of walking as a boring and ineffective way to exercise. When I made an effort to “work out,” I wanted to feel like I was actually doing something, not just taking a leisurely stroll — if my heart wasn’t pumping like crazy, or my muscles weren’t burning like fire, I thought I was doing it wrong. The problem is, running is tough! It’s hard to maintain my pace for a long time, and it’s not fun to do when my body is already feeling sore. And lifting weights requires extra equipment, which isn't available right now due gym closures from the virus. Walking, on the other hand, avoids all of those issues. It’s so easy! I can do it anywhere, and for however long I want! I mean, weren’t our bodies built to travel long distances in the first place? Here’s the twist, though: to get some bang for my buck, I try to walk on an incline. This immediately ups the intensity and causes me to break a little sweat. I’ve discovered several local trails in my area that aren’t super steep, but still have an upward slope to them, making them an ideal choice for a moderately-paced, 1 to 2 hour cardio session! With all the extra hours in the day not being spent in the classroom, why not burn some calories while enjoying what nature has to offer? And if it helps clear my mind and set me up for greater work efficiency once I return home, then sign me up