While working at home has many perks, one of its downsides is that it can easily lead to a more sedentary lifestyle. More and more workers are becoming lethargic since all they need to do to work is wake up and turn on their computers.
One way to combat this is by incorporating exercises into your daily routine. And for those looking for easy ones to do while working remotely, you may want to start with walking.
Besides improving your health, there are many other benefits of walking for remote workers, such as clearing your mind and improving your mood.
You don’t even need to take long walks to get the full benefits. Even something as simple as taking walking breaks at work is already an improvement. That said, the best time of the day to walk is usually late in the afternoon, after your work shift.
Aside from the benefits previously mentioned, here are some other benefits of walking:
Helps Improve Your Health.
Let’s start with the most obvious of the benefits of walking.
Just thirty minutes of walking can help strengthen your heart, lungs, other muscles, and even your immune system. This reduces your risk of contracting heart disease, osteoporosis, and even some forms of cancer.
And if you have diabetes or hypertension, walking is also a great way to reduce your blood sugar levels and lower your blood pressure.
Walking can also help reduce your body fat by curbing your cravings and intake of sweets when you’re under stress. So if you’re looking for an easy exercise to help you lose some weight, walking’s a great start.
As previously mentioned, walking requires no equipment to perform. That said, don’t forget to check with your doctor if you can do it for long periods, just in case.
Clears Your Mind.
Having a stressful day at work? Or do you have a tough day ahead of you? Before you press on, taking a step back and going for a short walk can help clear your mind so you can better refocus on your tasks.
A recent study has shown that those who take short walks in the morning have improved cognitive function over those who remain sedentary all day. Once you’ve finished your tasks for the day, taking a short walk can help relieve some of your stress and improve your mood.
In addition, people who stay active tend to display better creative and critical thinking than those who don’t. Activities like walking can help your brain produce new ideas, which can help you better solve problems you may encounter at work.
Speaking from personal experience, whenever I experience writer’s block, I take a short break and walk. Doing this helps clear my mind and enables me to develop new ideas.
Gives You an Energy Boost.
For those constantly feeling low on energy at work despite drinking a gallon of coffee, why not include a walk into your morning routine?
A small study found that ten minutes of going up the stairs was more effective at waking up eighteen sleep-deprived women than a cup of coffee.
And if you want your walk to really re-energize you, then don’t just settle for walking indoors. Put on your walking shoes and enjoy the fresh air outside.
According to a study, walking outside for 20 minutes gives you more energy than walking just as long indoors. And if you have other morning exercises, you can combine this with them to generate all the energy you need for your tasks.
Helps You Build Healthy Routines.
One aspect of an office-based work setup that many workers miss is that it enables certain routines. You wake up, get dressed, then go to work. After working, you go home, perhaps eat dinner, then go to bed.
Establishing routines helps reduce stress and gives you a sense of direction on how you go about your day. And one way to re-establish one while working remotely is by including walks before, during, or after work.
Once you have made walking a habit, you can use this to get into other healthier habits, such as eating healthy meals and getting enough sleep.
Improves Your Sleep.
If you’re having trouble sleeping, perhaps going for a walk at night would help more than a glass of milk? Another one of the health benefits of doing a walking workout is better sleep quality.
According to a recent study published in the journal Sleep Health, when healthy adults spend more time walking, they get better sleep at night.
Take note of the wording: walking improves sleep quality, not sleep duration. You still need to sleep a minimum of seven hours a day.
Take the First Step to a Better You Today!
Many of us find, including me, find exercising to be a daunting task. So before you consider doing more challenging exercises, taking regular walks would be a good start. It helps keep your body in shape, helps you sleep better and improves your focus to boot.
So what are you waiting for? There’s no better time to start a walking routine than today.
If you still don’t have an online job, Remote Staff can help you take your first steps in landing one today. Our jobs list has a wide range of positions you can apply to, ensuring you’ll never run out of options. Good luck!
