Walk at Home

Walk Away From Stress

Walking can significantly decrease your stress level.

Work, school, marriage, kids, death, moving.  The list of common stressors in our lives could go on much longer.  But the fact of the matter is that stress is and will be a part of our lives.  75% of the general population experiences at least "some stress" every two weeks. 
What exactly is stress? Stress is basically a result from physical and psychological events that upset the balances in our lives.  Sure, there are good stressors in our lives. This type will interrupt our balance, but won't cause any harmful effects.  You'll know the difference between good and bad.  Good stress will give you some excitement and pleasure, whereas bad stress will cause negative short and long term side effects.

Stress and its negative side effects is so prevalent in the US that the US. Public Health Service has made it one its major health promotion goals. Stress accounts for, either directly or indirectly, up to 80 percent of all illnesses. It contributes to heart disease, high blood pressure and strokes. Chronic stress can interfere with the body's immune system, making individuals more prone to catching illnesses, allergic reactions, autoimmune, cardiovascular diseases and even cancer. Stress also contributes to the development of alcoholism, obesity, suicide, drug addiction, cigarette addiction, and other harmful behaviors.  One fourth of all the drugs prescribed in the United States go to the treatment of stress.
 
Although there are many ways people try to cope with the stress; walking can significantly decrease your stress level and help combat its negative side effects. Studies show that people who walk and do other easy to moderate exercise regularly have lower stress levels than those who do not or those who exercise strenuously.  Same studies go on to say that we need to keep our exercise programs moderate, regular and voluntary, so when we are hit with our daily stressors, we will be able to better buffer the negative effects of stress on our immune systems.

List of reasons why you should incorporate walking into your stress fighting routine!

• Put physical and mental distance between you and the stress-causing environment.
• Time away from the stressors to clear your head.
• Many people carry stress by tensing their muscles. By getting into your correct walking posture and form, you unknot those muscles and put them to work.
• Observe the environment around you; enjoy the trees, flowers, birds, gardens, sky, storefronts.
• Feel your body in motion, reconnect with yourself.
• Wear off stress-eating related calories.
• Take time to work through problems and possible solutions as you walk.
• Talk and laugh with your walking partner to relieve the stress.
• Let off steam and vent with your walking partner.
• See that there is more to life than your problems.
• Lower your blood pressure and your heart health risk which can be increased by stress.