The Holistic Benefits of Walking
By:
Karin Marcus
Fall is a wonderful season for getting
outside and walking; the air is crisp and the colors are
glorious. Walking has long been known to have numerous health
benefits but now it is understood to also be good for your
mental health and spiritual wellbeing.
Health benefits: A recent AARP report states that walking 30
minutes, 5 days can week can help: manage your weight, control
your
blood
pressure, decrease your risk of heart attack,
boost your good
cholesterol, lower your risk of stroke, and
reduce your risk of breast cancer and
type
2
diabetes. As one person so aptly put it," I
have two doctors, my left leg and my right." (George Trevelyan)
Mental Health Benefits: Walking, particularly in pleasant
surroundings, is also very effective in reducing tension and
negative feelings. It has been shown to improve self-esteem,
relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety, elevate mood, reduce
stress, enhance
sleep, and increase energy. In general, an
individual who walks regularly feels an overall sense of
empowerment from taking an active role in their health. The
universal law of nature is that movement and growth are
essential to life. Inertia and stagnation can strangle a
person's spirit and creativity. Sometimes when you feel stuck,
what's most important is to simply start moving. The first step
will determine the next, and eventually you will find yourself
in a completely new place, physically and emotionally.
"Movement in the body brings movement in the mind. It is a
natural alchemy. So many of us seek this kind of movement in our
lives, a fusion between being and doing. We long to restore
wholeness within ourselves and to connect with one another and
with the spiritual values that sustain and guide us." Carolyn
Scott Korte, "The Spirited Walker".
Inspirational Benefits: For centuries, walking has also been
recognized as a form of mediation and prayer. Some forms of
worship include walking the labyrinth, circumambulating holy
sites, or taking long treks on pilgrimage. But walking is
especially effective as a spiritual tool in modern times when
our lives are constantly moving at a rapid pace. It helps slow
us down and bring us into the present moment. It helps clear our
minds as we lose ourselves in the rhythm of breathing and
moving. Walking in the wise company of nature can be a wonderful
soul booster full of inspirational metaphors, such as the
cyclical pattern of change, the vast horizon of possibility, and
the interconnectedness of life.
So I encourage you to get outdoors! Take a walk in the morning
before work, or during your lunch break, or as soon as you get
home. Devote a whole Saturday or Sunday to go for a hike or
explore a new corner of your state. And always be attuned to the
metaphors nature is placing before you.
Copyright (c) 2007 Karin Marcus
Article
Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Karin Marcus, Certified Life Coach and
Retreat Leader, "Helping people become environmentalists of their
souls" Click here to learn about upcoming retreats:
www.SteppingOutCoaching.com For a free introduction to
coaching session contact;
Karin@SteppingOutCoaching.com.
