I walked for 15 minutes every day. What did it get me? An important lesson

I have heard about the benefits of walking for a long time. But as it usually happens, one ear flew in, the other one flew out. Recently, in an interview with Medonet, this topic was raised by … Health Minister Adam Niedzielski. “It’s worth starting with a walk twice a week,” he said. I thought: maybe I’ll try. I don’t have much time, so I decided to only walk for 15 minutes. For that every day. A week has just passed. What has all this given me? The beginning was average, but what came next, I did not expect.

1. Can just a quarter of an hour’s walk bring any benefits? I decided to try. For a week
2. At first, I only confirmed my doubts. Such a short walk makes no sense. But then I realized that I was making a mistake that wouldn’t let me breathe
3. Even though I was walking, my thoughts were at work, at home, and I was dealing with problems
4. To take advantage of the advantages of a walk, it is worth trying to focus on the present moment, be “here and now”
5. Then, even a 15-minute walk will improve your well-being, relax, alleviate a possible headache, but not only that
6. More interesting information can be found on the TvoiLokony home page

15 minutes walk. Does it even make sense?

Walking has become fashionable recently. Although, in fact, walking is one of the most natural activities for us. Taking advantage of the benefits of civilization, we have probably forgotten about it. I forgot and I – for a long time. Admittedly, I heard and read about the advantages of a walk, but it was like next door, it came and went.

Recently, an interview with the Minister of Health, Adam Niedzielski, was published on Medonet. He asked how he cares about his health. He replied: «I got back to running. Unfortunately, not marathons, as has happened to me in the past, but I still try to run these 5 to 10 km twice a week. And the bike on the weekend. I recommend to everyone. It is worth being active. It is worth starting with a walk twice a week ». Thought actually why not give it a try. It’s summer, it’s worth taking advantage of. There was a problem though. Due to the multitude of classes, I couldn’t spend much time on it. 15 minutes – that was all I could afford.

However, there were doubts. Does it even make sense? Will just a quarter of an hour’s walk bring any benefits? I wasn’t convinced, but decided to try it. For a week.

Unknowingly, I was making a mistake

I walked in the afternoon, sometimes in the early evening, sometimes it was just the way to the store and back. At first, I only confirmed my doubts. Such a short walk makes no sense. It doesn’t do me any good. I feel as tired after a working day as before. It lasted for three days and it finally dawned on me. Unknowingly, I was making a mistake that wouldn’t let me breathe.

Everything was in my head. I realized that although I was walking, my thoughts were somewhere else: at work, at home, I was dealing with some problems and dilemmas. Even if I was in the most beautiful garden in the world, I probably would not notice it, and certainly not appreciate it. It had to be changed.

The mindfulness practice I read about a long time ago helped me. In short the point is to focus on the present moment, on what is happening now, on what surrounds us. Don’t judge. Just be here and now, breathe consciously, experience smells, sounds, colors – what the moment brings. It may sound complicated, but it’s worth a try. This allows you to silence the constantly analyzing mind. It worked for me.

Effects that I did not expect

Even though the walk lasted only 15 minutes, I had the feeling that the world had opened up to me. The rustle of trees, the smell of flowers, flying birds, a smile (sometimes a grimace) of a passer-by – I had never seen it before. I also did not know that such an experience could make you feel better and bring you peace. The weariness with the hardships of the day has significantly decreased. A new good energy entered me. I also noticed something else: a greater distance to difficulties or problems and an injection of optimism.

It also gained a body. Sometimes I have a headache, and after such a conscious walk it is lighter or disappears completely. After sitting in front of the computer all day long, even this quarter of an hour of walking is good for the spine, feet and joints. The body returns to some such balance.

If I am to briefly summarize the above considerations, I will say this: a short but conscious walk made me feel so much calmer, even happier. It’s a way to let go of the tension and stress of the passing day. The effects would certainly be better if I walked longer. I’m going to work on it. And I strongly encourage you to do so.

We encourage you to listen to the latest episode of the RESET podcast. This time Kamila Wykrota, the resilience trainer, will tell us about what resilience is. How does the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and react to adversities affect our quality of life? You will find out by listening to the latest episode of our podcast.