Benefits of Starting Your Day With a Walk
Post Date: Jul 19, 2023
Preventative Care
With exercise, there are people who love to move in the mornings, and there are those who don’t. But even if you fall into the second group, it may be worth bringing in some low-impact workouts to your morning. Walking has plenty of proven benefits, and walking in the morning can give you a big boost to start the day. Here are a few of the benefits that come from taking a morning walk.
Start your day doing something for you
With a busy life of family commitments, work responsibilities, and taking care of household tasks, it can be difficult to make time for yourself. When you make the time in the morning to head out on a walk, you can give yourself the restorative minutes you need to feel your best.
Get in some movement first thing
The later it gets in the day, the easier it is to find reasons not to move, whether that’s taking a walk or doing different exercises. Some of that comes from a state of mental overload called decision fatigue, where the weight of each choice throughout the day makes every one that comes after it more difficult. That’s why it’s harder to resist junk food later in the evening or why your morning intention to clean the kitchen before bed doesn’t come to pass. So by getting a walk in first thing instead of putting it off for later in the day, you’re setting yourself up for better health.
Get an energy boost
Another big benefit that comes from exercise, like a morning walk, is an energy boost. By delivering oxygen throughout the body and shooting out mood-boosting hormones called endorphins, walking can give you extra energy. If you’re regularly turning to multiple cups of coffee or other caffeinated drinks to get through the day, walking could help you get that pick-me-up naturally.
Upgrade your sleep
It can be challenging to get the full amount of restorative sleep that you need each night. Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep nightly. But that also should include the right amount of deep, restful sleep your body needs to restore itself. Walking in the bright morning light can help sync up your body with a natural circadian rhythm, which will actually help you sleep better when it’s time for bed.
Take advantage of all the benefits of walking
Walking has plenty of benefits, no matter what time of day you do it. These benefits can include better heart health, lower blood pressure, stronger muscles, fewer aches and pains, and a reduced risk of diabetes, heart disease, obesity, depression, and anxiety. Walking, like many kinds of exercise, can also have a big positive impact on your mood and mental health. So bring that well-being to your morning, and give your day a boost.
Work your joints and muscles
If you wake up stiff and sore in the morning, whether from hard work the day before, chronic joint pain, or just the aches and pains of getting older, a morning walk can help you loosen up. Be sure to talk to your provider if soreness and stiffness are impacting your daily life or if walking is painful or uncomfortable.
If you have concerns or questions when you’re starting any new exercise routine, it’s a good idea to check in with your provider. They can offer a personalized perspective and give you guidance. Make an appointment at the Bozeman, Belgrade, or Livingston CHP clinic to get affordable care that can set you on the path to healthier living.
