by K. Russell

Created on: January 09, 2009   Last Updated: June 17, 2010

Walking is what we were made to do. It is a great form of exercise. It can also clear your head and relieve stress. How many times a day do you find yourself frustrated, tired, ineffective or out of sorts? Walking may be exactly what you need.

Simply taking a brisk walk around the block may be exactly what you need to become more focused and centered. A good walk gets your blood flowing, bringing more oxygen-rich blood to those overwhelmed brain cells. Fresh air and sunlight do wonders to improve mood and the ability to concentrate.

Sometimes all we need to be more effective is to step away from ourselves for a little while. It is too easy, in today's world, to get in over our heads. There are so many responsibilities, time demands and choices to be made that we can't help but feel overwhelmed. Simply walking down the cereal aisle in the grocery store requires hundreds of decisions! Getting outside for a brisk walk, away from the phone, the computer, the to-do list and the demands of home and family allows us to recharge our mental batteries.

Too many of us spend most of our time indoors. In our home, our car, in an office, we become disconnected and isolated, both mentally and physically. Lack of fresh air clouds our minds. Indoor pollutants press down hard on our temples. Phone calls and computer beeps hit us on all sides. Going outside for a walk gives you the breathing space you need to shake off stress, to clear your mind and to regain some of the good health you were born with.

Ask a friend to join you for a regular walk schedule or go on your own, on the spur of the moment. Both are valuable. Conversation with a friend can help you regain your perspective.

The sights and sounds of birds singing, the scent and feel of wind through the trees, experiencing seasonal changes for more than the 15 second walk from the car to the front door can help us reconnect with ourselves. This reconnection is crucial.

A brisk walk is not a stroll. You need to swing your arms. Lift your chin. Stride with confidence and purpose. Get your breathing and heart rates up, even if just a little. Each time you treat yourself with a brisk walk you will be building good health and good habits that will help you be a better you. You can use walking to regain the strong, confident person you need to be to face the demands on your time with comfort and ease.

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