How A Simple Walk Improved My Mental Health

To those who feel like you are in a rut of your routine and feel as if you are achieving nothing, I advise you to take a small walk. You do not have to have the motivation to lose weight or get fit. Those who have anxiety or depression will feel at ease while walking and might keep walking until it gets too late. I have found myself walking until 11 p.m. until my legs start to get tired. I am 19 years old and I'm not looking for the meaning of life or questioning my existence, but walking helps to put me in a zen state of mind. Where, for two hours, I'm just walking with no care in the world and it is me having control over my life. I walk where I want to walk and when I want to walk. Walking three miles every day is no longer a chore for me but is a staple of my everyday routine.

I began walking every day as a way to just get out of the house. I would sometimes find myself waking up at noon and not really doing anything until 2 p.m. This was a not a very beneficial schedule for the summer. My reasons for walking were not to lose weight but to do something other than sit at my computer. With the new Pokemon Go game, I now make it my mission to walk three to six miles a day. Before the game I was just walking to get some fresh air and see new people. Instead of seeing the same faces that hang on my wall for the purpose of art.

What surprised me was that I could not wait to go on my walk, as if it is a treat for myself. While most people anticipate a wild night out, the routine of walking became very pleasant to me. I walk at night for the breeze and slow-paced environment. The park I go to is lit up with dozens of people walking through, so safety is not a concern. A three-mile path for those who want to get a good run or walk. I became surprised at how pleasant it was to see new people everyday. I don't want to sound like I live under a rock but I see the same people every day and have kept the same group of friends for years. I walk at a late hour to avoid the heat and discomfort that summer brings at noon. Every night around 9 p.m., there are always familiar faces. At times, we nod and smile at each other or just recognize through eye contact. Almost as if these people who walk by me for only a couple of seconds have an impact on my life.

The positive outcome from this small difference is that, like a hot shower, simply walking clears my head. Walking three to six miles lets me know that I achieved something for that day, even if it is just a small drop in the bucket. Sometime we get caught up in a summer rut where we do nothing. Just waking up ready for the next day to do the same thing of watching seasons of TV and scrolling through YouTube. Walking three miles has given me more energy to do more things. I want to adventure out more, head to different parks and even different parts of Houston. Walking is not just physically pleasing, but also mentally helpful. I find that I have more energy for the rest of the night as my body feels more refreshed and awake. After work, where I'm on my feet all day, I still walk at a calm pace to enjoy the forest and streets around me. These are all the aspects in my life that have changed just by a small addition to my routine.