Walk Your Way To Better Mental Health
When you were making the transition from crawling to walking, there is a good chance that the adults in your life were absolutely thrilled by each shaky step you took. But once you had a handle on walking, it no doubt began to seem less miraculous. After all, barring an injury, a disability, or the challenges that sometimes come with age, most of us take walking for granted.
Also, we often seek out ways to limit the amount of walking we have to do on any given day. We park as close as possible to our destination. We take the elevator instead of the stairs. We drive to places we could easily walk to—even when we are not in a particular hurry.
But it turns out we should not take walking for granted, and we should not try to minimize the number of steps we have to take. Not only because walking is good for our physical health—though it certainly is—but because walking is good for our mental health.
That is great news for a person—perhaps you—who is dealing with the symptoms of a mental health disorder. Lace up your shoes and join us on a walk through the benefits of walking.
Your Physical and Mental Health are Connected
Though it is tempting to think of your body and your mind as two distinct things, they are in fact intimately connected. And that means that something that is good for your physical health is often good for your mental health, too.
That is certainly the case when it comes to walking. Physical exercise has been shown to have a positive impact on your mental well-being. And that means being intentional about walking offers double dividends—whether you park a little further away, take a ten-minute walk over your lunch hour, or cover a few extra blocks when you take your pooch out for their daily exercise.
Walking in the Sun Gives Your Mood a Boost
You probably know the old Katrina and the Waves song “Walking On Sunshine.” If you do, you know that it is about as upbeat a number as you are likely to hear on your radio (or, you know, your phone’s streaming app). That is appropriate because, though you probably cannot walk on sunshine, you can certainly walk in sunshine—and doing so very well might make you feel more upbeat.
Sunny days not only tend to elevate your overall mood, but they also provide the best source of vitamin D—a vitamin that is known to support your mood.
So, while an indoor walk certainly has benefits, an outdoor walk provides even more.
We should note here that you should always take steps to protect yourself from the potential dangers of spending time in the sun. Protect your skin with sunscreen, your eyes with a hat or sunglasses, and your whole self by staying hydrated when you are soaking up rays.
Walking Can Be a Communal Activity
We have already mentioned that a walk is something you can share with a furry friend. But, of course, it is also the case that a walk is something you can share with one or more friends. Get together for some shared exercise and a chance just to chat and catch up. A regular shared walk can support your mental health by supporting healthy friendships.
Want to take it to the next level? Consider asking your coworkers to join you for walking meetings. You might get some push back, but a walking meeting is a great alternative to gathering under fluorescent lights in a shabby conference room, right? It is a win for everyone—and a win for productivity, too.
Walk Toward Treatment to Arrive at Better Mental Health
At Peak View Behavioral Health—located in Colorado Springs, Colorado—we are devoted to helping those struggling with mental health disorders by providing opportunities to renew balance and embrace hope. We offer a full range of mental health services including assessment, diagnosis, and rapid stabilization as well as ongoing care and support.
We provide inpatient and outpatient care to meet a variety of needs—including the needs of those struggling with a substance use disorder in combination with a mental health disorder. And we partner with other mental health organizations to ensure we can offer the support and services an individual requires.
If you are struggling with depression, bipolar disorder, suicidal thoughts, or other mental health challenges, Peak View Behavioral Health can help. Point your feet in our direction and walk your way toward better mental health and a better quality of life.
