Get Up and Walk Your Way to Greater Health and Happiness
Many of us probably shun the thought of extra walking instead of driving or commuting to our destinations. I understand. When we get out of work feeling stressed and mentally exhausted, all we want to do is fall flat on our beds the moment we get out of the office.
You should think twice. Scientists fervently remind us of the many benefits of walking for our mood as much as for our health. Whether it's to boost your everyday happiness or to stay healthy, the challenge is the same: overcoming the urge to slack. So to spur myself, I think of these little things to get me up and walking!
Get Up and Walk Your Way to Greater Health and Happiness
Above all, do not lose your desire to walk. Every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness; I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it.-- Søren Kierkegaard
1. Walking more extends your life
Sitting is the new smoking. We're more compelled to sit for long periods because of the tons of paperwork and increasingly computer-based tasks of our jobs. Even our efforts to be active after work or on the weekends might prove futile, as experts are finding that even three-to-four hours of sitting is already cutting our lives shorter. However, those who fall into this lifestyle category shouldn’t lose hope just yet. A recent study found that moving every 30 minutes can lessen the health hazards. Thus, if we can at least walk during our “mini-breaks,” we’re extending our lives.
READ: Healthy Habits, Happy Worker: 5 Tips for Boosting Well-Being at Work
2. Walking is a form of meditation
Walking relaxes your mind, releasing all the stress incurred over the day. As I walk, the pressure diffuses and I begin to think about things more clearly. Chances are when I get home, chores, problems and pending tasks would eat up my free time. But with walking, I have all the time to recall events, consider options, come up with alternatives, solve problems, etc. By the time I get home, I’ve already unwound and am ready to take on other responsibilities.
Some other major perks of walking to or from work or school? You can save on transportation fares and gas money and help out the environment by not taking any vehicles. I walk the extra mile as much as I can and whenever I can. Having a walking buddy makes this form of exercise even more fun and enjoyable.
3. You can appreciate nature more
I can still vividly recall a time when I was walking to my part-time job on a cool afternoon. Had I done otherwise, I wouldn’t have savored one of the most breathtaking sunsets I’ve ever seen. I was in an urban area, and scenes like that don’t happen very often. Imagine the little surprises we can enjoy and relish when we make time to stroll. That wonderful tableau made me wish to see more every day, so ditching the car and public transportation whenever possible has become my new hobby.
WATCH: What Nature Can Teach Us About Life
Looking at the refreshingly green foliage I pass by reduces stress and relieves eye strain due to long hours of work facing the computer. There are plants at work that help to alleviate exhaustion, but they’re still no match for the trees and other foliage we can feast our eyes on outdoors. When we’re on the road, we’re either focused on the road or see the trees disappear in just a matter of seconds.
4. You get to enjoy the power of sunlight
Nothing delights me more than a good dose of vitamin D in the morning. After basking in the early morning sun, I get energized. With the bright sunlight, I feel happy and content. Thankfully, it only takes a 20-minute walk to get from my house to my workplace, so that’s plenty of exposure to the precious sunshine. But even when I don’t get to get up early, I drink coffee on the front porch, enjoying the sunny sensation only nature can give.
READ: The Lifestyle of Happiness: Why It's Not All in Your Head
Researchers have seen a link between vitamin D deficiency and depression, due to the former’s serotonin-inducing capability. It also boosts our immune system and strengthens our bones. Of course, those are just a few of the freebies the sun gives us, but if happiness is our daily goal, you should shower yourself with sunlight by walking to work or school whenever possible.
5. Sweating detoxifies your body
After sitting in an office for eight hours or more, we need to detoxify ourselves, and the easiest and most natural way is through sweating. Not only will it detoxify your body, it will detoxify your mood too.
If it's true that sitting for eight hours every day is killing us softly, I can only imagine what's happening inside the body. That’s why I’ve made it a personal commitment to go for a little stroll in nearby parks after every shift. I try to get as much walking in as I possibly can so I can sweat out all the toxins I've built up during the day. (I always bring extra clothes with me, of course -- we don’t want to be all sweaty and stinky in our workplace!)
6. You don't need to walk alone
There are communities that encourage people in their neighborhoods to make walking at least 30 minutes a day a habit. Some companies urge their customers and employees to make walking a part of any lifestyle, and others even develop wellness programs ensuring everyone walks the walk.
You don’t need to be alone when you walk. With more and more people joining the craze, it won’t be difficult to find a walking buddy at work or in your neighborhood. With this, walking can make you happier through socialization and laughter. Spending time with other enthusiasts fosters bonds of friendship and other relationships.
For the love of ourselves
The tides of time have changed the face of the workplace, but the sedentary lifestyle these contemporary jobs entail is taking its toll on our well-being. Stress has become more ubiquitous than ever. Lifestyle diseases are becoming rampant. Fortunately, we can thwart the onset of these 21st-century killers by opting for one of the most powerful preventive measures out there: the love of walking.
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.