Why Daily Walking Might Be the Most Underrated Habit
The pandemic completely changed how I look at walking. I remember someone saying, imagine how stir crazy we feel being stuck inside… and our pets literally never leave the house unless we take them out. That hit me hard. Since then, my husband and I have made it a mission to get the girls outside almost every day. Sniff breaks, little runs at the park, soaking up the Colorado sunshine - it has become a non-negotiable.
What I didn’t expect was how much I would benefit from it too. Getting out of the house after working from home all day, moving my body, decompressing from stress, even easing soreness on tough workout days. Walking has become something I lean on - whether I feel amazing or not-so-great.
And honestly, it’s something I never take for granted. I’ve had hospital stays where walking down a hallway was exhausting or impossible. Those experiences remind me how quickly mobility can disappear and how powerful it feels to reclaim it.
The Benefits I’ve Seen
Digestion boost. If I’m feeling sluggish, a walk almost always helps. It gets things moving.
Energy & mood reset. Some mornings it wakes me up, some afternoons it helps me reset, and some evenings it’s just what I need to decompress.
Mental clarity. Solo walks with music or a podcast help me think. Walks with my husband give us time to connect. Walks with the girls remind me to slow down and just enjoy being outside.
Stress relief. We both work a lot and are home a lot, so getting outside forces us to breathe, reset, and feel refreshed for the rest of the day.
Strength & gratitude. Every walk reminds me that I can walk, and that alone is worth celebrating.
How to Make Daily Walks Happen
Start small. If you’re not walking now, try 5 minutes or a lap around your block each day for a week. Build from there.
Pick your time. For us, it’s usually lunch, after work, or after dinner. Find the slot that fits your life.
Make it fun. Listen to music, call a friend, take your dog, or enjoy quiet. Choose the walk you need that day.
Don’t overcomplicate it. You don’t need to track every step or mile. Just commit to moving.
Remember why it matters. Walking may seem “too simple” but it’s foundational for your health, energy, and mindset.
If you can find ten minutes in your day, you can walk. And if you feel like you can’t find ten minutes - then maybe walking is exactly what you need most.
So get outside. Take that first lap. You’ll be surprised how much better you feel.
-Nicole 🖤
P.S. Do you walk daily or is this something you’d like to add into your routine?