No gym? No problem. Walking your stress off for just 20 minutes a day does more for your body than you think.

It is a common thought that exercising means going for a run or lifting weights. These exercises are important but can be time consuming, and many students often feel guilty for taking the time off due to fear of academic failure. However, everyday walking has been shown to bring healthy benefits to the body and mind. The sun is also good for you, and in a period of isolation due to COVID-19 restrictions, it is all the more important to go outside.

Here are some tips to get the most out of your walk.

1) Environment plays a role

Walking in a natural environment restores your ability to focus. Studies show that your ability to focus depletes over time and that, to regain focus, you can rest your mind by being in a setting that captures your attention without requiring effort. 

Your surroundings can improve your mental health and well-being by reducing your stress. Multiple studies have shown that exposure to greenspaces decreases your stress levels. These greenspaces include deep wilderness, urban parks and domestic gardens. The Meewasin Trail is an example of such a space which many Saskatoonians use for runs or walks in any season.

2) A brisk pace to make your heart race

Don’t just go for a stroll.

Walking is a less-intensive exercise than running, so you either go on a longer walk or pick up the pace to get the health benefits. By walking at a moderate speed, you are getting your blood flowing through your heart and air through your lungs. By working out these organs of yours, you are setting yourself up for a healthier lifestyle.

A brisk walk helps with your brain functions as well. Studies have shown that aerobic exercise, like walking, improves your performance for exams. Perhaps next time, you can take a walk before your midterm.

3) Don’t let guilt stop you

As students, guilt over not studying can be a driving force that turns many away from investing time in a healthier lifestyle, which impacts your life in more ways than one. 

Guilt can have a positive or a negative effect on you. According to Psychology Today, healthy guilt can serve as a form of motivation. Feeling this emotion sometimes pushes a person to do what they need to do. However, feelings of guilt become an issue in excess. They will make you feel unworthy, which is unhealthy to your well-being.

So when you go for your walks, let go of that guilt and remind yourself that the time you spend on exercise is for your health. You can’t study and ace that midterm if you’re feeling unwell.

4) Challenge yourself and hit those hills

You heard it — hills. 

Saskatchewan may be the land of the living skies and endless flat horizon, but it has some challenging hills you can trek. As students, it can be tough to budget time to drive out of the city and find those hills. Lucky for you, there are some good hills in Saskatoon.

Ravine Drive in the Riverheights neighbourhood is a good starter hill, if you are up for the challenge. There is also the Victoria bridge that can be challenging if you go up and down it a couple of times.

5) Just like when you’re lifting weights, your form is important

Do you have bad posture? Well, not during your walk you won’t.

Proper form for walking is paramount, but what is the right posture? The first rule is keeping your head up so you don’t strain your neck. You also want your shoulders relaxed and back because you are not hunched over your laptop while walking. 

Lastly, the motto is this — heel-to-toe, heel-to-toe, heel-to-toe. You are not in a marathon sprinting, so take the time and focus putting your heel first before your toe as you walk.

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J.C. Balicanta Narag | Editor-in-Chief

Graphic: Anh Phan | Design Editor