Working from home has its perks (who isn’t happy to get laundry done during the day!?), but it can also impact both physical and mental well-being. In the midst of the pandemic, I found myself falling into some less-than-ideal, sedentary habits. To counteract this, I’ve made a conscious effort to incorporate a short walk into my mornings, especially on heavy meeting days. Some days, when I’m finding it hard to concentrate, or the sun is shining brightly, I’ve even upped the ante to two walks! If my schedule keeps me tied to my desk in the morning, I make it a point to step outside for a breather in the afternoon, enjoying a change of scenery and some much-needed fresh air. Not only does a daily walk provide a boost to my productivity, but it’s also a swift way to reach those step goals – a win-win for both body and mind.

Here are my self-imposed personal guidelines:

🔆 Get out in the morning to benefit from the early sunlight and subsequent mood boost.

🔆 Walk around at least one neighborhood block purposefully (12 mins for me)

🔆 Don’t look at your phone during the walk and enjoy the surroundings instead. Being out in nature lowers stress and when you take your time, there are lots of pretty things to appreciate.

🔆 Say “good morning” to any neighbours spotted out walking too.

🔆 Walk past the little free library at least once each week to spot/drop off books

🔆 Switch up the blocks each day – it can get very monotonous!

(Pics of my neighborhood so you can see how pretty it is. Not taken on my walk though, because then I’d be breaking my own rules ;))

Do you break up your days with walks? What have been the benefits?