When you wake up in the morning, exercise may not be at the top of your priority list. But starting your day with a walk, whether it be around your local park, beach or neighborhood, can provide your mind and body with a number of health benefits.
Here are five reasons why you may want to start your day by taking some steps according to health experts:
Improve your mood
There are physiological benefits to walking in the morning, too.
A walk may help:
- improve self-esteem
- boost mood
- reduce stress
- reduce anxiety
- reduce fatigue
- ease depression symptoms or reduce your risk for depression
For best results, try walking for 20 to 30 minutes at least 5 days a week.
Boost your energy
Starting out your day with a walk may give you more energy throughout the day. If you walk outdoors.
According to research, adults who walked for 20 minutes outdoors experienced more vitality and energy than those who walked for 20 minutes indoors.
Another study showed that 10 minutes of stair walking was more energizing than a cup of coffee for 18 women who felt sleep-deprived.
The next time you need a morning energy boost or feel tired when you wake up, you may want to try a walk.
It may help you lose weight
Walking in the morning may help you meet your weight loss goals. Walking at a moderate pace for 30 minutes can burn up to 150 calories. Combined with a healthy diet and strength training, you may find you lose weight.
Improve mental clarity
A morning walk may help improve your mental clarity and ability to focus throughout the day. A recent study
New study shows that amongst older adults, those who started their days with a morning walk improved their cognitive function, compared to those who remained sedentary.
Walking may also help you think more creatively.
According to research, walking opens up a free flow of ideas, which may help you problem-solve better than if you’re sitting or remaining sedentary. This is especially the case if you walk outdoors.
The next time you have a morning meeting or brainstorming session, suggest that your co-workers join you on a walk, if possible as brilliant ideas will be produced!
Sleep better at night
Walking in the morning may help you sleep better at night later.
More research is needed to determine why exercising in the morning may be better for sleep than exercising at night, though.
Those who exercised in the morning versus the evening experienced better sleep quality at night.
