5 Reasons to Make Walking Part of Your Daily Routine

As a wise woman once said, “these boots are made for walkin’”. And with National Walking Month right around the corner, who are we to disagree with her? 

If you’ve been looking for a good reason to dust off your Fitbit and boost your daily step count this spring, we’ve got you covered. Here’s why you should make walking part of your daily routine this National Walking Month and beyond.

It’s a mood booster
In case you missed it, we’re on a mission to make 2022 the year of finding your feel good. And that means we’re encouraging each and every member of our Misfits mob to prioritise their mental health and make more time for some good, old fashioned self-care. 

We all know that exercise is one of the best mood boosters around, but did you know that walking specifically has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and to boost creativity? In fact, just 12 minutes of walking can be enough to make you feel happier and more self-confident, so grab your walking shoes and get going.

It can help you live longer
No, really. 

It sounds silly, but research has found that adding just 1,000 steps to your daily step count can increase your life span and lower the risk of developing health conditions like heart disease and diabetes. 

Plus, regular walking is a great way to give your immune system a much-needed boost during cold and flu season, so why not keep it up during those cold winter months?

It’ll enhance your sleep
There’s nothing better than getting a good night’s sleep, but if you’re still feeling tired after your recommended eight hours, it could be a sign that your sleep quality isn’t quite up to scratch. 

Never fear though, because a study conducted in 2019 shows that increasing your daily step count could be the secret to a better night’s sleep. Not only do regular walks improve sleep duration, but they can boost sleep quality, making you feel less zombie-like when you wake up for work on Monday morning.

It could be better for you than running
It might sound too good to be true, but, for some people, walking can be a better choice of workout than running or jogging because it’s so low impact. So, if you can’t commit to a daily jog, why not try replacing it with a brisk stroll round your local park? 

It gets you out and about
Let’s face it. There’s nothing fun about sitting in front of a screen all day, especially in the spring and summer months when all you want to do is get outside and soak up some vitamin D. Walking can be a great excuse to spend some more time in the great outdoors, so why not try and get some steps in on your lunch break or on your commute?