By Sakina Ghayyur
Did you know that walking, something most people already do every day, can actually become a meaningful and enjoyable hobby? Whether you want to clear your mind, stay active, or just make better use of your free time, walking is one of the most accessible pastimes. Especially if you are a student struggling with academic stress, packed schedules, and crazy amounts of screen time, walking is the easiest and most beneficial thing you can try. But the question is, where do you start? Here are five easy steps you can follow:
1. Invest in the right shoes
You don’t need the most expensive shoes to start walking. You just need to make sure that you have shoes that support your feet and make you feel comfortable. Kelly Johnston, a high-performance athlete with experience in the retail footwear business, says it’s worth it to invest in a good pair of walking shoes.
“A lot of people will compromise shoe size just to get a shoe they like, which is not a great idea.” said Johnston.
“You should get a shoe that fits properly, especially if you’re going to be walking longer distances. If something’s too tight or too big, your ankles are going to hurt and you’re going to have hip problems.”
Finding the right shoes is important in order to reduce fatigue and prevent pain, making it easier to walk consistently. When you feel good, you will be more likely to stick with walking regularly instead of giving it up after a few uncomfortable walks.
2. Start with the right mindset
If you want to get into walking as a hobby or pastime, remember that it’s not about reaching a specific speed, or distance, or hitting a fitness goal. It’s about spending intentional time doing something that is good for your mind and body. Think about walking as “me time” and not a chore you need to finish. Treat it as a break from screens, stress, and being indoors all day. In fact, studies show that giving your mind this break will help you fight anxiety and fatigue throughout the day and eventually walking will become something you actually want to do.
3. Find a podcast you love
One of the easiest ways to make walking enjoyable is pairing it with something you look forward to listening to. There are podcasts on every topic that are easily accessible to listen to on your walks. Finding a podcast you love will turn a regular walk into something you look forward to all day. Whether you are into science, fashion, cooking or health, there is a podcast out there that will keep you engaged. Eventually, you might find yourself walking a few minutes longer just to finish an episode
4. Find good trails and routes near you
The environment you walk in matters, especially if you are out in nature. Studies show that spending time in a green space or natural environment can help reduce stress. Find local parks, lakeshore paths, trails, or even quiet neighbourhoods to make your walks more interesting. Apps like AllTrails or Google Maps can help you find paths and trails near you that you probably didn’t even know existed. If you switch up your route, it will make your walks more enjoyable and less repetitive.
5. Set simple goals
Instead of starting off with goals like a number of steps or distance, set goals based on consistency or enjoyment. For example, make a goal to walk three times a week or to take a short walk while you drink coffee every morning. Setting goals like these will help you fit walking naturally into your routine. The more realistic the goal, the easier it is to maintain. Once it becomes a habit, you can try using walking apps like Map My Walk or Google Fit to track your steps and distance.
Walking is one of the simplest hobbies to start, and when you do it intentionally, it can help you clear your mind and keep your body healthy. By following these easy steps, a daily walk can become your favourite part of the day.
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