With the kind of lifestyle that we face today, stress seems to be a regular part of life. While this may be considered as normal, being stressful all the time can lead to you feeling depressed and as if you are losing control of your life.
On top of that, there are a number of different medical conditions that have been linked to stress as being one of their major contributors.
Medical professionals have stated time and time again that exercise could greatly help you reduce stress levels making you less prone to its harmful effects.
However, with so many things to do and so little time, going to the gym can often be one of the last things on our minds.
One of the reasons for you to try walking to relieve stress levels is its ability to increase levels of endorphins. As you walk or do any form of exercise, your body releases endorphins which many medical professionals have called the happy hormones.
This is because endorphins have been associated to feel good and happy about yourself.
Stress levels tend to make you feel down and out, causing you to lose concentration with your work and may even cause your relationships to break down or worse, cause you to contemplate on suicide.
By taking up walking to relieve stress, you balance your body’s chemical levels to allow it to fight feelings of depression and anxiety, making you more confident about yourself. Here are a few tips to help you to optimize on walking to relieve stress.
Slow down!
When you are stressed, you tend to do things a little bit more quickly. This is because the more stressed you are, the higher the levels of adrenaline you have in the body.
This includes the way how you walk. Make it a conscious effort to slow down your pace while walking to relieve stress.
One way you can do this is to be more conscious of how you place your foot. Try to make it a conscious effort to feel your heel land lightly and then your weight slowly shifting your weight to the ball of your foot before putting down your other foot. The slower you walk, the more relaxed you will feel.
Pick a scenic route
Ever heard the saying “stop and smell the roses”? Make this your motto as you take up walking to relieve stress. Instead of walking during the evening, try to make time to do this in the morning or in the afternoon in your local park.
If you find something that catches your attention, take some time to digest it. Remember, you are walking to relieve stress, not to prepare for a brisk walking marathon, so take all the time that you need.
Breathe slowly
One sign that you are stressed out is that you tend to breathe a little bit shallower. While walking to relieve stress, take long deep breathes. This would slow down your breathing and eventually cause your heartbeat also slow down, making you able to relax.
Listen to some music
It is a good idea to listen to some soothing music while walking to relieve stress. This is because when you are stressed out, your mind tends to continue thinking about your problems, deadlines and everything else in between. Listening to music helps you block out these thoughts, allowing you to relax and enjoy your walk.
