Short bouts of strenuous exercise do much to boost mood and physical fitness, however it is not always possible to go all out, especially on days where sleep has evaded us or the snow has turned to ice. Instead, a gentle path trod by foot will cut straight through the circularity of unhelpful thoughts.
Go outside and go early:
Making the effort to just step outside and move in a direction opens up headspace and ensures fresh air and exercise, which will benefit mind and body regardless of calories burned or steps taken. Getting out early means you are more likely to find precious peace and quiet before the rush hour of people and vehicle traffic. Venturing
outdoors early in the morning is also good for the waistline, as research shows people exposed to daylight earlier, tend to have lower BMI than late risers. [https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2014/04/morningrays-keep-off-the-pounds.
Make it interesting:
Turning that lockdown walk into a psychogeography game can be a fascinating experience of finding your place in relation to your neighbourhood. It is so easy to lose touch with where we are when
we go everywhere by car or public transport. Walking is more than movement, its proof of existence in time and place. To get started, why not check out Transport for London’s Green Chain Walking routs. https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/walking/green-chain-walk