Walking for well-being in lockdown
Walking is a wise habit for well-being in lockdown
Walking outdoors is great for well-being in lockdown for COVID-19—helping with fitness, health, and mood. So check how many steps you took today in social isolation! You might be shocked.
Not surprisingly, habits that are good for well-being in old age also promote well-being in lockdown for COVID-19.
When asked for a wise habit for old age, two readers cited taking a walk . (The survey became irrelevant with COVID-19.) The walking habit is so important when well-being in lockdown is at stake. Fortunately, even at Level 4 alert, walking outdoors will be permitted here, either alone or at least 2 meters distant from others.
Take a walk for inspiration, say two readers
Both Sadje and Peter started their regular walking habit for health reasons. Does that sound like a burden or a duty? No way, it’s a blessing. Read about the rich rewards they get from walking. Don’t be surprised if you feel inspired.
Sadje has very active blog, “Keep It Alive: A look at life, achieving good physical and mental health and happiness.” She is between 55–64.
- Her wise habit is Walking daily and usually after every meal.
- Her motivation: To stay healthy in my coming old age.
- Why did she choose to share this particular habit? It keeps me fit, healthy and active. and my blood sugar levels in range.
- Her reward is A happy feeling. Also it makes me enjoy the nature and I get ideas for writing too.
A second reader describes a similar habit. His blog is Peter’s Pondering: Random views and musings with a sprinkling of idiocy. You’ll see from his blog that he has an interesting outdoor area to explore.
- His habit: I go for a walk every day, a minimum of 1.5 miles.
- Prompt: I suffered from angina and was advised, by my doctor, to take regular exercise.
- Why share this particular habit? It makes me feel alive and vibrant and also gives me some alone time.
- His reward: I get to talk to horses, dogs, cats, birds, trees, insects, butterflies, and see a river, a canal, and a railway. I breathe fresh air, hear bird song, the wind in the trees, the rippling and splashing of water and, occasionally I get to meet humans.
Check your step count in lock-down
I did that yesterday. It was horrible. Sure, yesterday I did manage 4,894 steps by doing a sort of joggy-walky on Mt Victoria—even so that only brought my daily average up to 488 steps for the week that I’ve been in lockdown. From now on I need a big daily walk, that’s obvious. Not walking to a destination but walking for the sake of walking, walking to escape cabin fever, walking for well-being in lockdown. How about you?
In Praise of Walking: The New Science of how We Walk and why It’s Good for Us
More about sharing your wise habits for a lock-down
Great advice!
I agree. Walking is the best release for anxiety and it is interesting as you observe the details of your neighbourhood. I’m amazed how much things have changed if I haven’t walked around a block or two for a while.
That’s so true, isn’t it? Even without this chaos, things change, often.
Walking is great exercise. mental and physical. My wife, Daisy the Dog and I walk three times daily, every day, and when out 2-3 mile stretch is done, it’s often said by both, “that was fun!” Remember what Clint Eastwood said about how he keeps going at such an advance age, “I don’t let the ‘old man’ in!”
Perfect.
We still take our daily walk when it doesn’t rain. We walk 2.5 miles to the creek and back.
So easy, so good.
Thanks Rachel for the mention and sharing my message. We are self isolated and I get two walks in daily. One early in the day and one after dinner, 6 or 6:30. I have to dodge people and turn around if a group of people is approaching, but I don’t want to go without my walk.
That seems like an excellent plan.
Thanks! 😍
I found earlier in life that walking when I am down lifts my spirits. It’s an effort to get myself out there these days, but the dogs have to be exercised, and it’s the best time of the day for our old arthritic Staffie (17 in August if she’s still with us); the day she doesn’t step out with her tail high and wagging, I’ll know she’s had enough. The year we were briefly without dogs for a few months I tried walking our usual riverside route alone, but it wasn’t the same.
Dogs are such a blessing at this time. Yours is a venerable companion. Stay well, Cathie!
We’re about to enter a 21 day lockdown after midnight Thurs 26th. At the moment waiting for clarity as to whether we can/cannot go for walks. Do hope we can, but if we can’t … well, will have to go on to Plan B. Not quite sure what that will be, but time will tell!
Fingers crossed. Legs too, maybe. Stay strong.
WE’re allowed one walk a day. So this is mine:
We are still encouraged to walk as long as we keep distance from others. My husband and I go every afternoon for 30-45 minutes.