A walking routine, especially when you include strength training and stretching in your weekly workout regiment, can make a huge difference for your health, mentally and physically.
The benefits of walking include improved cardiovascular fitness, reduced blood pressure and blood sugar, boosted metabolism, weight maintenance (or loss), improved bone health and more. Walking can also boost your mood, and help you connect with nature and get some much-needed sunlight if you do it outside.
But in order to reap the full mental benefits of walking, Dr. Samantha Boardman wants you to make a slight adjustment to your approach and try out something she calls an “awe walk.”
Expert Tip of the Day: Take ‘Awe Walks’ to Boost Your Mental Health This Spring
When you take an “awe walk,” the point is to be in the outdoors and “admire something vast (and) beautiful,” Boardman said on TODAY. “It’s probably already right in front of you, but you just haven’t been looking at it.”
All you have to do is leave your phone in your pocket and commit to at least 15 minutes of walking around and observing your surroundings.
Why It Matters
“This can really help sort of minimize some of that doom loop thinking in your mind, and add some perspective,” Boardman explained, adding that it helps you focus less on yourself.
Awe walks, also know as “flaneuring,” can also leave you calmer and more at peace with yourself, TODAY.com previously reported. Some research has even linked it to improved sense of overall well-being and feeling more joy.
How to Get Started
It really is that simple: Go outside, keep your phone in your pocket and walk around, paying special attention to the things that you find beautiful and impressive. Try not to stay focused on yourself and turn your perspective outward, Boardman advised.
Awe walks are just one of the latest meditative walking trends. You can also try forest bathing, silent walking or a walking meditation.
Download the Start TODAY app for more walking inspiration.
TODAY’s Expert Tip of the Day series is all about simple strategies to make life a little easier. Every Monday through Friday, different qualified experts share their best advice on diet, fitness, heart health, mental wellness and more.