Walking is universally acknowledged to be good for you, and even 20 minutes outdoors can make a difference. But getting into the habit of walking can be difficult, especially if a regular stroll is not something you usually do, or the heat of the summer brought your exercise to a standstill.
In the post, I want to explore a suggestion which might make creating a walking habit easier and the concept of going for the exact same regular walk.
Making it easy
Creating the lowest entry point is always a helpful approach for new habits. So, kickstarting a regular walking habit might have more chance of success if you align it with your usual weekly patterns.
For example, it might be easier if you make the walk part of your commute. Get off an earlier stop (or two!) on the bus or park a little further away than normal. You may be surprised how much better you feel when you reach the office or home – and how much more you’ve noticed about your neighbourhood.
May be begin by doing this for just two days a week. You could try it initially on a Monday and a Wednesday and see how it goes. Then extend it to weekdays when it’s not raining!
It might be that a walk at the weekend is more realistic in your schedule. Such as combining one before or after Sunday brunch or your Saturday coffee run.
A regular path
One thing that has made walking a regular part of my routine is doing the same route most of the time.
I first started walking in the mornings about 20 years ago and quickly came to the realisation that I enjoyed doing the same walk on a regular basis. So, every time I’ve moved since then, I‘ve found a walk I like and stuck to it.
I don’t walk every day, and sometimes the timing differs, but a morning walk before work has become one of the most helpful things I do for myself.
I’ve written before about how it’s a moving meditation for me. A time to think about my plan for the day, to work through an issue that’s been on my mind, or come up with ideas for my writing. Some days my thoughts just seem to float, and I simply absorb my surroundings.
Not having to think
The great thing about having a regular route is that I don’t need to make any decisions about where I’m going. I just put on my shoes and coat, grab my keys and go.
My current go-to is a there and back route. I walk to a particular bend in the road and then back again.
Doing the same walk – or perhaps two – removes some of the barriers to entry. There’s no navigation involved so no need for a map. Plus, it means you don’t need to plan anything in advance and you can pop out on the spur of the moment if want. This cuts down the likelihood of procrastination and avoidance.
What I notice
Somehow doing the same regular walk never becomes boring to me. I think this is because one of the joys of doing the same route all the time is that I notice my surroundings much more.
Because everything has become so familiar, I am aware of little changes in the details. Things like if a front door is painted a new colour, or the subtle shifts in the nature I pass along the way.
Keep it simple
If going for a regular walk is something you’ve been thinking of adding to your routine, how can you make it as easy as possible to start making it happen?
One suggestion I’d offer is to choose somewhere that doesn’t involve travelling. This is because I think it’s easier to start walking from a location that’s already fixed in your schedule.
