Julia Marie Yoga

5 Reasons To Take a Walk Right Now!

10/5/2022

Turn off the step counter for a moment.

Let's take a moment to celebrate walking for the amazing benefits that have absolutely NOTHING to do with the scale. If changing your body is something you desire - that's groovy - but let's explore another areas to celebrate!

5 BOOST YOUR CREATIVITY
Stanford researchers have found that walking in fact makes you more creative! Accessing your ability to natural problem-solve and discover creative solutions rarely happens when your body is stagnant. So if you're in a creative rut or stuggling to find a positive solution - talk a walk!

4 REDUCE SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION
Walking can be a great supplement to your mental health regimen, and research proves it! Some therapists even do walk-and-talk sessions (oh hell yes!) Moving your body really is medicine, and moderate intensity walking on a regular basis can be an amazing mood boost.

3 IMPROVE YOUR BRAIN FUNCTION
Walking doesn't just make you more creative, it actually improves cognitive function overall. This means walking is good for your noggin in general. In fact regular walking regimens may reduce the risk of dementia.

2 COMBAT LONELINESS
Maybe you're like me and have a hard time meeting new people. I'll be honest. I have a really hard time making new friends. I'm very introverted. I have had a primarily self-directed job for a decade. My entire family lives elsewhere. And, I have moved to a new town several times in the last 7 years. The pandemic certainly did not help. It can be excruciatingly lonely at times (... BTW do you want to grab lunch with me). But one way I bust out of my loneliness bubble in the middle of the day is to go for a walk. I get to say hello to my neighbors, meet people's dogs, and generally remind myself that the world is much bigger than the thoughts in my head.

1 IMPROVE YOUR HEART HEALTH
Walking is considered steady-state cardio. There are many ways to improve heart-health and steady-state cardio is just one of them. The benefit here is not about calorie burn or improving your recovery times. Steady-state cardio is about building endurance. Essentially you are introducing the concept, to your heart which is a muscle, that it can sustain elevated work for longer and longer periods of time. Because your heart is a muscle it adapts like other muscles of your body by getting stronger by adapting when encountering repeated stimulus over time.

Let's take a walk in my recent walking mediation on my podcast Personal Practice.

2 Comments

Author

Hi there! You found me. My name is Julia Marie Lopez. For 22 years I have studied meditation and mindful movement as my primary tools for healing. For the past 13 years I have worked as an instructor, a wellness business owner, the Founder of Practice Everywhere, and now I am embarking on a new adventure to expand how we define our Personal and Public Practices.

My favorite experience is the feeling I receive when someone else feels supported by something I've created.

So this site is more than a lifestyle or healthy living blog, My approach to writing it is to offer my perspective and input that inspires happier, and healthier living on your own terms - because that's what I want too! We get to define our own parameters for what a happy and healthy live means to us.

XO,
Julia

Since I offer you my experience and perspective, share my writing about life, love and wellness, and offer a bit of unsolicited advice, I think you should also know that I do include affiliate links and promotions in some of blogs. If you make an action (such as sign ups, memberships, or purchases) I might earn a commission. I promise to use this income to support my love of coffee, dogs, yoga, and my family (in no particular order).💜

Missy Reece

10/7/2022 02:29:37 pm

I started practicing yoga with you on Prime video over 4 years ago. I love yoga. It allows me to be athletic, mindful and self-focused for a little while each day. I have three kids, ages 16, 13 and 8, so I’m busy and have always had a hard time “making time” for myself. I, too, am introverted and don’t enjoy going to classes in a studio or gym. I practice 5-7 times a week and subscribe to your app Practice Everywhere which I’m enjoying. I’m looking forward to taking a daily walk now that fall is here and I intend to practice what you’re preaching about enjoying that time. Thank you!

Jennifer Murphy Aubin

1/4/2023 08:23:46 pm

Hi Julia,
As a busy mother of three, ages 13, 8 and 6, I discovered your classes on demand and practiced yoga daily throughout the pandemic - it gave me strength, joy and body confidence - my 5 year old son at the time shared with his teachers that he was proud of his mom is so strong. He gained a huge appreciation for poses when he practiced next to me; yoga is so deceptive, it looks like gentle stretching but - ha! - try holding that pose for a minute!

When the first wave of COVID hit our household, it was very frightening but we are better. However, it took a bite out of our family, while we are mostly recovered (my husband has long haul symptoms still), it completely derailed the physical and mental progress I made - I am now working my way back to practice with chronic pain in my hip and knee, which had two prior knee surgeries. Baby steps.

I am grateful for your open hearted approach, sharing your perspectives about loneliness, making friends as an adult - it’s not easy - you’re a lovely person, I hope someone in your area takes you up on lunch!

I appreciate you, looking forward to continuing my fitness and wellness journey with you.
Best, Jen

5 Reasons To Take a Walk Right Now!

Leave a Reply.

Author

Categories

Live now. Love now.

Press & Business Inquiries, email here.