The Benefits of Walking and Why it’s Not Just Exercise

Walking isn’t just a way to get from A to B. 

It’s a gentle, accessible form of movement that does more than burn calories - it gives your body and mind space to breathe, reset, and reconnect with the world around you.

The benefits:

1. Better digestion & gut comfort: Walking after meals can help stimulate the digestive system, helping food move smoothly through your stomach and intestines - reducing bloating, indigestion or sluggish digestion
2. Supports fat loss and maintains muscle: Walking burns calories and, when combined with good nutrition, can assist fat loss. Regular walking especially at a moderate pace helps preserve lean muscle mass even as body fat decreases, which in turn supports long-term health
3. Low-impact on your body: Because walking is low impact, it’s gentle on your bones, muscles, and joints. That means less risk of injury, and a less stressful way to stay active, compared to high-intensity workouts
4. A calmer mind & mood boost: Walking isn’t just physical. It gives you time to slow down, think, daydream, de-stress 
5. Functional movement and overall health: Walking is a functional form of movement, something our bodies were designed to do. It supports cardiovascular health, helps maintain muscle and bone strength, and improves balance and endurance

How to incorporate walking into your everyday routine:

The beauty of walking is that it’s flexible. You don’t need a gym, special gear, or large blocks of time. Just a few small shifts can help you build walking into your day consistently.

• Change sit-down meetings into walking-meetings. If possible, take your calls or chats while walking
• Park away from your destination. Whether you’re going to work, the store, or a café - parking a little further and walking the rest adds extra stepsTake the stairs instead of the elevator
• Work while walking. If you have a laptop or tasks that don’t need a fixed desk, consider a walking pad or slow treadmill to walk gently while you workTry a walk first thing in the day. Waking up 20 - 30 minutes earlier and taking a short stroll helps to set yourself up for a good day

You don’t have to hit 10,000 steps every day to reap benefits - the goal is consistency and intention. Even small, regular walks help build healthy habits that support both body and mind.

Walking isn’t about hitting a certain number of steps or pushing yourself too hard. It’s about listening to your body, and giving yourself permission to slow down.