This morning, on my second snow day of the year, I decided to keep up my commitment to daily movement despite the snow-covered roads. For nearly two years, I’ve intentionally set out to walk every day. Some days, I’d cover eight miles; on others, it might be less than a mile. Regardless of the distance, walking has transformed my health and sparked my creativity. Continue reading to learn more about the daily benefits of walking.
While I’ll admit that I once became “addicted” to hitting a specific number of miles, I’ve since embraced the mindset that any amount of movement counts—as long as I’m walking, I’m winning.
Jonathan Fields, host of the Good Life Project podcast, featured Libby DeLana in an episode titled The Life-Changing Power of Daily Walks. DeLana shared her story of walking daily for 12 years, a journey that began with no specific goal other than committing to 30 days of movement. Her simple approach has inspired countless others to find joy and mindfulness through walking. If you’re curious about her journey, check out her book, Do Walk: Navigate Earth, Mind, and Body. Step by Step, for insights on the transformative power of walking.
“I’m just going to get up an hour early and go for a walk. And it wasn’t about exercise. It wasn’t about 10,000 steps. It wasn’t about miles. It was really, I’m just going to build into my day a conscious act of being in the outdoors, and I’ll just do it for 30 days and see how it feels.” –Libby DeLana
Research consistently highlights the profound daily benefits of walking or movement. Here are three key advantages:
- Improves Cardiovascular Health
Walking strengthens the heart, lowers blood pressure, and reduces the risk of stroke and heart disease. According to the Mayo Clinic article, Walking: Trim Your Waistline, Improve Your Health, walking is a simple yet powerful way to enhance overall physical health. - Boosts Mental Health
The Mental Health Foundation notes that daily movement can alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression. Walking helps elevate your mood, shift your perspective, and bring clarity to your day. - Sparks Creativity
Research from Stanford University shows that walking can significantly increase creative output. Whether you’re brainstorming or looking for inspiration, a walk can help ideas flow freely.
Walking is more than just exercise; it’s an act of mindfulness, a way to connect with yourself and the world around you. Whether it’s a brisk eight-mile trek or a gentle stroll, the daily benefits of walking extend far beyond the steps you take.
Ready to take the first step? Start small—commit to a 30-day walking challenge like Libby DeLana. Discover how daily movement can transform your health, ignite your creativity, and uplift your mind, one step at a time.