Over the past several months, I have discovered the joy of walking. I had never thought of walking as my exercise, but as I work toward healing from back surgery, walking has become an integral part of my therapy (both mentally and physically).
Walking with a partner, catching up with friends or just listening to podcasts, walking with intention allows me to clear my head, make plans or simply to think about how to be a better version of myself.
Physically, walking, at any intensity, is good for you. A slow, steady pace has been shown to lower the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Research also suggests that increasing the length of your walk can lower the risk of premature death and diseases such as cancer — and raising the intensity brings additional benefits.
Mentally, taking time out of your day, even for a brief 15 minutes, walking can help lessen anxiety and depression. Walking can help you to feel better about your body as you don’t have to put too much strain on your body. Ever have trouble sleeping at night? Walking not only increases our energy levels, but it also increases our level of rest! Regular exercise can help us achieve deeper sleep and improve our sleep patterns.
As a Clinical Behavioral Therapist and as a Certified IE Coach, I am here to help you to find and listen to your inner voice. I can help you learn positive ways to accept yourself as you are. Feel free to reach out to me for a consultation at rachel@livehealthynyc.com