Walking is good for you, it helps keep you fit and healthy if done correctly. But did you know walking makes you happy? The practice of regular walks helps mental wellbeing as well as physical well being. Let me explain.

The benefits to your health from putting one foot in front of the other as many times as you can throughout the day are well documented. Look at the success of couch to 5k or the abundance of step trackers on your phone or on your wrist. The gadgets and the courses encourage us to walk more. It’s good for us. The more time you spend walking, the less time you will spend being ill (in general).

That in itself is great for happiness and mental health as the mind and the body are linked. That is not what this article is about. Here we will discuss why walking makes you happy in more holistic terms.

Mindful walking get fit and feel happy – IN GREEN

This depends on where you live but most areas have green. A field, a park, a garden. Soak your eyes in the colour green. Great in the summer when all the leaves are on the trees, but in the winter, the grass is still green. When you go out walking look for a route where you will find green.

Green is calming and is thought to help relieve stress. It is also the colour of growth, the colour of spring, of renewal and rebirth. Green is the colour of the Heart Chakra. This chakra is located in the centre of the chest area. The Heart Chakra bridges the gap between the physical and spiritual worlds. Opening the Heart Chakra allows a person to love more, empathise, and feel compassion.

Take a purposeful hike in nature whenever you get the opportunity.

Mindful walking get fit and feel happy – IN FRESH AIR

The more fresh air you get, the more oxygen you will breathe which will increase the amount of serotonin (the happy hormone) you inhale, consequently making you happier. Fresh air will leave you feeling more refreshed and relaxed.

More oxygen results in greater concentration plus provide you with more energy. Fresh air is a natural medicine and it is everywhere. Go take a walk in it.

Mindful walking get fit and feel happy – YOU

This is your time to enjoy however you wish. A pleasant walk in the open air. A chance to catch up with yourself, to consider a bit of positive self-talk maybe. To go over your day or week in your mind. To blow away the cobwebs in your mind and aim for a little clarity.

You may decide to listen to music or a podcast on your headset or a few chapters of your audiobook. It is your time to escape from the stresses of the day.

Mindful walking get fit and feel happy – MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION

Mindful walking is a personal favourite, it helps combine all the other benefits I have covered here. As you spend this time with yourself, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO NOTICE THINGS.

• The steps you are taking and the feeling of making contact with the earth
• Notice the colours, smells and sounds along the way
• Focus on your breath and how it feels as you soak up the vital oxygen, imagining how it is improving your wellbeing
• Be aware of the thoughts you are experiencing
• Feel the purpose in your stride
• Notice other people, say hi and smile

The regular happy habit of walking is the easiest activity you can do. You can do it anytime, anywhere and for as long as you wish, with whoever you wish. Walking makes you happy. Go try it and let me know how it makes you feel when you focus on green, air, you and your walk.

MINDFUL WALKING QUOTES…

“If you are facing in the right direction, all you need to do is keep on walking.” – Buddha

“I have two doctors, my left leg and my right.” – G. M. Trevelyan

“Every path, every street in the world is your walking meditation path.” – Nhat Hanh

“It is solved by walking.” –  Latin Proverb

“One step at a time is good walking.” –  Chinese Proverb

“If you want to know if your brain is flabby, feel your legs.” –  Bruce Barton

Take a mindful walk and let me know how you feel afterwards in the comments below. Feel free to share this post, lets get everyone enjoying a little mindful moments on the move.

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