For many college women, balancing academics, social life, and personal health can often be all-encompassing. With everything that we have going on during the day—from work, to class, to studying, to spending time with friends—it often feels like we must sacrifice one of these in order to make time for our physical health, too. What most don’t realize is the easiest way to balance all of these can be as simple as walking.
Over the past summer, I experienced firsthand how consistent walking can reduce stress and improve clarity. Every day, without fail, I would walk five miles outdoors, and I had never felt better. My skin was clear, my mind felt sharp, and I experienced an incredible sense of clarity after each walk. Looking back, I think I was going through a bit of an identity crisis. I didn’t feel like myself, and had so much built up anger from events that had happened in the previous year. Walking gave me a space to slow down and clear my mind. That simple daily habit helped me feel more grounded, calm, and in control. It sparked a new appreciation for walking that not only supported my physical health, but acted as a true reset on my mind for the day.
Now being back and school and living in Michigan, I have been unable to really keep up with this habit. With a busy class schedule it’s not always easy to set aside a huge chunk of time to dedicate to walking, especially with the weather being below 20 degrees for the majority of the year. Instead, I now incorporate walking into my daily routine in other ways. I chose to walk back and forth to my apartment rather than staying on campus to have a breather between lectures. I also make it a point to take short walks during my study breaks, especially when I feel stuck or distracted. Just stepping outside and moving around for a few minutes helps me reset my focus and return to studying with energy and clarity. Whenever possible, I try to lightly study while walking on the treadmill, to stay active and keep up with my coursework.
Walking isn’t just about getting steps in but rather creating movement in our day that is otherwise often sedentary. Long hours in lecture, studying in the library, or spending time on our devices contribute to our mental burnout. Walking cuts through that and offers a time for me to clear my head, relieve tension, and be present with myself.
In addition to it’s stress-relieving abilities, walking has scientifically been proven to lower cortisol levels. Cortisol is the hormone for stress, which is a hormone that many women—specifically college women struggle with due to the demands of college life. By incorporating walking into ones day, one can significantly lower their cortisol levels, and even reduce inflammation at the same time. Personally, I have felt less anxious and more emotionally balanced when I take these long walks between studying.
Getting 10,000 steps every day isn’t always easy, but I’ve learned that it doesn’t have to be all at once. It’s about stacking small, consistent moments of movement: walking during phone calls, taking the long way to class, or adding a short walk after dinner. I’ve learned firsthand that those 10,000 steps are never wasted but instead are an investment in my long term health. With the weather warming up in Ann Arbor and the intensity of finals on the way, a simple walk offers the space to breathe, reset, and honor the progress made over the past year.