Walk With Me - 5 Reasons I Love Walking

I live in a very walkable neighborhood.  Across the street is a sprawling world-famous park and bird sanctuary.  A few blocks to the South lies the Strait of Juan de Fuca which provides a natural border between my province of B.C. and Washington State. If I walk a few blocks North I find the provincial museum and provincial legislature buildings as I near the city core and ‘downtown’.  And behind me, to the West, is the entrance to the Inner Harbour. It is an eclectic, funky, old neighborhood and I have come to love it dearly.

I have always enjoyed walking.  Even when The Captain and I lived on our sailboat and would spend days on end anchored in some quiet little cove, we would make sure to take the dinghy to shore and enjoy a long walk or hike on whatever island was nearby.  During the Winters that we spent in a rural area near Port Ludlow, WA, we made sure to get out for several walks every day... along the country roads or in the nearby towns.

Here are my top 5 reasons to put on my walking shoes and head outdoors.

1.  It is a mood enhancer.

Walking outside always gets my blood flowing and elevates the endorphin levels.  Even if I go out tired or a bit cranky or stressed, I feel much better if I go out for a walk.  I am likely to meet and greet many others in my area out enjoying the day… and will always encounter a dog or two to pet as well. 

2. It is a great way to get from one place to another.

Yes, I do occasionally use the car to fill up the freezer at Costco, or head up-Island to my favorite hairdresser… but I can do may daily marketing and errands on foot.  I could easily live in this neighborhood without a vehicle and do all of my errands and shopping by walking.  Most of the time I do… post office, library, groceries, gym, farmer’s market… I even work within walking distance of our home.  We walk to the tennis court. to Starbuck’s, to the doctor’s office and to the wine shop.  It’s so nice to NOT have to look for a parking spot and pay a meter.

3. It is a good workout or workout finisher.

I almost always go for a walk after I have done a strength workout.  It is a good way to stretch out my legs and burn a few more calories.  I believe it helps keep me flexible andiIt offers a natural transition from workout to cool down.  Walking can be a good cardio workout on its own as well.

4.  It is a nice way to explore the world around me.

My neighborhood is constantly changing.  There are new flowers blooming. Cruise ships and freighters come and go along the Strait.  There are old homes being renovated.  There are new dogs to meet.  There are baby peacocks and ducklings in the park. I love to be outside exploring on foot.  I can stop and take pictures, or dart across the street to inspect a new garden.  Walking allows me to vary my speed and my route at will.

5. It is a friendly social activity.

Quite often The Captain and I walk together and we talk and talk about everything under the Sun.  We make plans.  We recall great memories.  We point out things to each other as we stroll along.  And we walk with friends, too.  It is such a nice way of being together… casual and friendly. I have even conducted business meetings on foot.

What about you?  Do you love to walk too?