Stuck Without a Gym? The Benefits of Walking During COVID-19

At the beginning of quarantine, I felt at a loss. I was no longer able to see my friends, go to public places, and felt confined to my house. Before COVID-19, I also used to love going to the gym every day. I’ve always been an active person who enjoyed exercising – whether in the form of sports, going for runs, or otherwise. Not to mention, I was in a regular routine of working out and had been pretty consistent about it for years. I was worried if I stopped going to the gym completely, my body would retaliate in the form of a slower metabolism, less sleep, and weight gain. It seemed to me that the easiest and most convenient option was to start going for walks. The activity killed two birds with one stone – getting fresh air and going outside for a bit while also getting some exercise.

Every day, I would go with my mom or dad and do about five miles. In the beginning, it used to make me sore, and by the end, I would be sweating at least a little. Still, I felt like walking couldn’t possibly be sufficient exercise. I was used to spending an hour and a half at the gym and dripping sweat after leaving.

However, even though going to the gym is more vigorous and intensive, I began to see results from walking. Every time that I would go on a walk, my head would feel clearer. I felt fresh, active, and in the full sense of the word – healthy.

I realized all these positive feelings, and looking into some of the benefits of walking – I was astonished to find that there are so many incredible things walks can do. Not only does walking five or more miles a day burn calories and speed up your metabolism, but it also has cardiovascular benefits such as better heart health and decreased risk of heart attacks. Walking also improves blood pressure, cholesterol levels, decreases the risk of diabetes and obesity, improves mental health, and helps with stress and depression.

I have personally witnessed the advantages that come from walking every day. While I might not be physically able to feel my heart strengthening, my stamina has increased, I feel fitter, and I certainly feel more at peace. During these hard times, it’s hard to find something to look forward to or enjoy, however, every single day when I go for a walk, I feel genuinely happy. It might seem incredibly simple, but sometimes simple is what we need when the world around us seems difficult.

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