Walking as a hobby helps with a person’s overall health and mental wellness. Walking is a low-impact exercise that allows a person to clear his or her mind while benefitting from a good form of exercise.
It is common knowledge that having a hobby helps in a person’s health and satisfaction. And for those who are already into a hobby, then good for you. You’re on the right track, keep it up!
But for the rest of us, the main question is, what is a great hobby to start?
Hobby considerations
You may want to consider the following factors to help you choose a great hobby that is right for you:
First, a hobby should be interesting and challenging enough to keep you interested. Otherwise, you may not be able to maintain it and will quickly lose interest, leaving you with no fulfillment.
Second, time. A person should have time to spare for the hobby, or rather, FIND time to spare for the hobby.
Third, consider the cost of your hobby. If at first glance, you think it’s expensive, it probably is. You might want to consider a hobby that is less expensive or save up for it.
And fourth, a person should be committed to the hobby to gain the benefits of engaging with it.
If these considerations make it all complicated, you may just want to start with a simple hobby such as walking.
Why walking
There are numerous benefits to walking that have a great impact on your health and these are all backed up by scientific research.
Below are the 3 main benefits that you can get from walking:
First and foremost, walking does not need any equipment or materials before you can start. All you need is a good pair of shoes and you’re all set.
Second, walking is a low-impact activity which is a good way to start living a healthy life. Especially if you have been sedentary for some time, walking is a good way to start working out those muscles.
Third, walking is a great way to connect with nature. Walking along a path, in the park, or on a trail will help clear your mind which is good for mental health.
Admittedly, walking will not burn calories as fast as running. But it is still considered good physical exercise that is good for your overall health. It’s also a stepping stone for your fitness or weight-loss goals.
Types of walking
Similar to the many benefits of walking, there are also considerably different types of walking. Among these various types are the following:
Leisure walking
Leisure walking is a type of walking that includes ambling or strolling. In this type of walking, you will just be walking around your neighborhood or the park, or someplace of your choice.
This type of walking is not hurried and you are taking the time to take in your surroundings. You can also turn this kind of walking into mindful walking.
It will allow you to relax your mind and just be present in the activity that you are doing, which is- walking.
Aside from the physical benefits, leisure walking can also reduce blood pressure and heart rate. It helps create feelings of well-being, provide better sleep, improve mood, and manage stress.
Fast-paced walking
Fast walking, on the other hand, includes steady walk, brisk walking, and power walking.
The difference in each of these fast-paced walking is the rhythm or the speed by which you walk.
The pace of a steady walk would entail a normal walk, like going out for lunch or meeting a friend. It is not hurried but not leisurely at all.
While brisk walking is the kind of pace you will use when running late to an appointment. It is a little hurried but you would still be able to converse.
The power walk is similar to a brisk walk but at a much faster pace. The form you will adapt with a power walk is that of jogging. The arms swing at a 90-degree angle in coordination with a proper heel-to-toe foot landing.
The fast-paced type of walking exercise would burn more calories and would certainly help you lose some weight.
Make sure to have a good stretch if you decide to go on a fast-paced walk.
Competition walking
Competition walking includes race walking and the walking marathon. This type of walking will challenge your speed and endurance.
How much to walk
According to experts, moderate exercise involves walking at least 3 miles per hour. This will be equivalent to 30 minutes a day for five days.
However, you can always modify it. You can use the various types of walking alternately depending on the available time you have, your intention, or your energy level.
If you don’t have much time, a 10-minute brisk walk will still give you a good workout. Or if you have some time to spare but not into a heart-pumping rate, you can opt for an hour or two of leisurely walks.
And if you are invested in the hobby of walking, you can go right in and do a marathon walk or race walk.
Walking posture
As in any other exercise, it is important to keep a correct posture during walking. One of the reasons for this is to avoid injuries. Another reason is to engage the entire body in the activity, which will allow you to get a lot more out of the exercise.
Below are some pointers to help you improve your walking posture:
- Maintain a straight posture with your head up and your chin parallel to the ground
- Do not slouch or lean forward
- Keep the shoulders relaxed
- Stomach in
- Land gently on your heel before rolling through to your toes when taking a step
Walking tips
While it is given that walking is a simple form of exercise and hobby, here are some tips you can employ to get the most out of a walking hobby.
- As this hobby is a form of exercise, it is advisable to consult a doctor first. Especially if you are over 40 years old, are overweight, and have been sedentary for some time.
- Choose a type of walking that would be appropriate for your fitness level. Remember to take time for a warm-up before and cool down after your walking activity.
- Wear proper walking shoes and clothes that are weather-appropriate.
- Do not forget to wear sunscreen.
- Remember to stay hydrated. Always bring a bottle of water with you during your walking activity.
Enjoy your walks
Walking in itself is a fun activity but you can also make your walks more interesting.
You can do this by varying the places where you take your walks. Look at the places near you where you can do some walking like a mall, park, or a hiking trail.
If you have a more flexible time, you can also schedule your walks at various times of the day. So that you can compare or differentiate how things look or feel at a certain time of the day.
You can also ask your friends or family members to join you on your walk. It will serve as a great bonding activity.
Lastly, you can join walking clubs or associations to meet new people and to learn about some other places where you can take a walk.
Summary
All in all, a walking hobby is a great form of exercise that will help a person achieve good physical and mental health. The various types of walking can be used alternately to get good exercise. Similarly, there are many ways to keep your walks interesting and enable a person to commit to walking as a hobby.
What can you say about walking as a hobby? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Outside links:
What are the different types of walking
5 Types of Walking Which Will Improve Your Overall Health
Walking for good health