Though it’s getting dark so early now, I’m still trying to squeeze in a short evening walk after dinner whenever possible. I can’t always make it happen, but I do my best because that brief 15 minutes offers so many benefits:
➡ It’s totally relaxing, and a great way to destress after a busy day.
➡ It gives me some much-needed outdoor time.
➡ Going for a walk after a meal has a significant impact on the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels, not just immediately after the meal, but for the following twenty four hours. A post-meal walk also stimulates metabolism. So, it’s an enjoyable, fifteen minute activity that reduces my risk for diabetes and helps with weight control. Uhm, no brainer, right?
➡ The evening’s fading light adds another benefit – it helps keep circadian rhythms in check. When your body’s clock is functioning properly, it not only helps you sleep better, it also positively impacts many of the body’s systems involving hunger, mental alertness, mood, stress, heart function, and immunity.
Even as winter approaches, I do my best to stick with this habit. If I get wimpy about the cold, I suck it up, bundle up, and remind myself of the hardy Scandinavian mindset about cold weather: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.”
How do you motivate to keep moving, espeically during the darker, cooler months?
Want to learn more about the health benefits of this post-meal stroll? Read more here.