by Paul Wallis

Created on: January 09, 2009   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

Walking is probably the healthiest, most reliable way of getting regular exercise. As a method of stress relief, it is definitely the simplest and most enjoyable. Walking is an aerobic activity, promoting circulation and muscular coordination.

It's also the exact opposite of being trapped in an office chair, where your posture is basically governed by gravity and the shape of the furniture. Studies of body posture have shown that posture can affect moods, sometimes negatively.

Walking allows freedom of movement, and by definition, freedom of action. The constraints of indoor environments can be a real part of the problem for stressed people.

Just going for a walk has a lot of things to recommend it. The walk breaks the cycle of sights and sounds, taking you somewhere new with every step. A walk can be a lot of fun, with new things to see, creating new mental stimuli.

The "new inputs" effect of a walk is often important. Stress can be obsessive, believe it or not, with the repetitive stress factors needing to be broken up.

Breaking up the stress inputs by creating new subjects for your mind while on your walk is a definite plus.

It's your walk. That means you choose.

Consider your walk thoughtfully, and according to your mood. Which are the places where you really like the walk around the area? Where can you potter around happily, taking your time, just enjoying the walk and the freedom?

Do you want a long walk, or just a nice casual stroll? Is there a place in walking distance you haven't been a while, and you'd like to check it out?

If it's a nice day, (meaning by your standards; your own preferred weather, which varies a lot between individuals) and you feel like a real workout, where's a good place to stop before heading home? A coffee and cake sound good, or maybe a nice hot something? How about a good browse around that shop you saw?

Your walk can be real self indulgence, not just "exercise for the sake of exercise". You're getting out and making some time for yourself. Make it interesting, and make it fun.

Stress? What stress?

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