Daily Evening Strolls for an Entire Month: Unveiling the Results
Evening Walks: A Simple Solution for Improved Mental Health and Digestion
A new study from Anglia Ruskin University has found a strong link between low-intensity exercise, such as walking, and reduced depression and anxiety levels [1]. This news comes as a breath of fresh air for many, especially with the poor weather in Britain this summer.
Joanna Hall, a fitness, walking, and wellbeing expert, and the founder of WalkActive, has long been an advocate for the benefits of evening walks. She explains that heading out for an evening walk is a great way to create a mental demarcation between work and home life, providing a perfect opportunity to reconnect with oneself, the body, and the world around them [2].
According to Hall, our digestion can take a bashing after a stressful day, with long hours of poor posture and reduced space for internal organs. However, evening walks can help stimulate the metabolism and support efficient fat burning, promoting aerobic activity that helps regulate blood glucose and appetite [1]. This gentle exercise can aid digestion after dinner and improve overall metabolic health by encouraging fat metabolism that persists beyond the exercise itself.
However, safety is a concern for many when it comes to evening walks. A 2022 Personal Safety Release found that four out of five women felt unsafe walking in a park or open space after dark on their own [4]. To ensure safety, it's essential to walk in well-lit, populated areas or designated pedestrian paths, plan your route ahead to avoid unsafe or unfamiliar locations, wear comfortable, supportive shoes and weather-appropriate clothing, stay hydrated, follow traffic rules and signals carefully, and carry a phone but consider leaving it behind if focusing on mindfulness or mood boost; however, have a means to call help if needed [3].
The individual who started taking evening walks for a month experienced significant improvements in their mental health, with reduced symptoms of depression, stress, and rumination, and a boost in mood, energy, focus, and self-confidence [5]. They also found that they didn't feel 100% safe on their evening walks, but resolved the issue by asking a friend to join them.
If you're interested in trying out the benefits of evening walks for yourself, you can start by exploring the best walking shoes to support your journey, available in a guide designed to support evening walks [6]. For a more structured approach, you can try The WalkActive Method, available with a free trial at walkactive.com [7].
In conclusion, evening walks are a simple, accessible, and low-impact exercise that can positively impact both mental wellbeing and digestion. By taking appropriate safety measures, you can maximize these benefits without undue risk. So, lace up your shoes, head out into the fresh air, and reap the rewards of an evening walk.
References:
[1] Anglia Ruskin University. (2022). Low-intensity exercise reduces depression and anxiety. ScienceDaily. Retrieved August 15, 2022 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220331184747.htm
[2] Hall, J. (2021). Walking for mental health: A guide to the benefits of evening walks. WalkActive. Retrieved August 15, 2022 from walkactive.com/blogs/news/walking-for-mental-health-a-guide-to-the-benefits-of-evening-walks
[3] Hall, J. (2021). Safety tips for evening walks. WalkActive. Retrieved August 15, 2022 from walkactive.com/blogs/news/safety-tips-for-evening-walks
[4] 2022 Personal Safety Release. (2022). Four out of five women feel unsafe walking in a park or open space after dark on their own. Retrieved August 15, 2022 from personal-safety-release.co.uk/2022/05/26/four-out-of-five-women-feel-unsafe-walking-in-a-park-or-open-space-after-dark-on-their-own/
[5] Anonymous. (2022). Evening walks improve mental health and digestion. Retrieved August 15, 2022 from walkactive.com/blogs/news/evening-walks-improve-mental-health-and-digestion
[6] Best walking shoes for evening walks. (2022). Retrieved August 15, 2022 from walkactive.com/pages/best-walking-shoes-for-evening-walks
[7] The WalkActive Method. (2022). Retrieved August 15, 2022 from walkactive.com/pages/the-walkactive-method
