Let’s Go For a Joy Walk!

So, one day, when I put on my shoes, Max, my golden retriever buddy, joyfully perked up his ears and wagged his tail. “Are you ready to go for a walk, Max?” I questioned him, he responded with a bark, and we headed out the door. Along the way, Max sniffed every intriguing scent with his nose. With the sun shining and a little wind blowing, it was a lovely day. I let Max off his leash so he could run free as soon as we went onto a path through the woods.

I couldn’t help but feel tranquil and calm as we ventured further into the woods. Max sprinted ahead, after bunnies and squirrels, but he always turned around to check in with me. We gave it one more push and passed the threshold of the walk, our hearts racing with a mixture of excitement and happiness. As we approached the final stretch, I felt a rush of adrenaline propel me forward with renewed vigor.

I considered how much my dog had taught me about appreciating the little things in life as we strolled. He didn’t require pricey, treats or lavish toys to be content. At that point, I understood that our trip together was more than simply a means of getting in shape; it was also a shared experience, a celebration of life’s beauty, and a reminder to cherish each and every moment.

For me, my walking exercise had become a metaphor for my journey—a symbol of the relentless pursuit of success, the embodiment of the courage to take one step at a time towards my goals. With every step, I moved closer to my dreams, confident that the path to success was right in front of me.

Move More, Live Longer

Following the Kimera way of life, we believe that prayer, meditation, and exercise are some relaxing and leisure activities that can promote happiness and provide a constructive approach to dealing with the stresses of daily life. Any activity that boosts one’s health and happiness makes life more fruitful and worthwhile. Many chronic illnesses can be prevented, or at least their negative consequences can be reduced, by physical exercise. Regular physical activity is so important in our lives, but unfortunately, it doesn’t always fit well with the routine, either because of a hectic schedule or a lack of motivation.

The research suggests that pets influence the physical activity of their owners,  particularly showing a higher level of physical activity. But that doesn’t mean that those without pets are deprived of these health benefits. Some wonders of health benefits when inculcated in life are evident in people living in the five Blue Lagoons,the regions of the world where life expectancy is higher than that of the rest of civilization, are very physically active, engaging in regular and consistent movements, keeping up daily hobbies, and working past the traditional retirement age. The Blue Zones’ centenarians have exceptionally high levels of physical function and activity.

WHO Recommendations for Physical Activity

Even the World Health Organization (WHO) asserts that engaging in physical activity offers substantial advantages for the heart, body, and mind. Walking, cycling, dancing, sports, active recreation, and play are common activities that may be done by anybody and are enjoyable to everybody. It is advised to exercise for at least 150 minutes at a moderate intensity or 75 minutes at a strong intensity each week, coupled with muscle-strengthening exercises twice a week or more, in order to enjoy these health advantages.

One of the major risk factors for noncommunicable disease mortality is physical inactivity. Insufficiently active individuals have a 20%–30% higher chance of death than adequately active individuals. Globally, around 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men do not engage in adequate physical activity to maintain their health.

An Active Body Is Healthy and Happy. So Lets Board the Joy Ride

In order to maintain excellent health and overall well-being, exercise is essential. Regular physical activity has several advantages for the body, mind, and even emotional condition.  Here below are some key points about exercise and its impact on health:

Physical fitness: Regular exercise improves physical fitness by raising stamina overall, promoting cardiovascular health, increasing muscular strength and endurance, and improving flexibility.
Weight Management: Exercise is crucial for maintaining a healthy body weight. It promotes calorie burning, boosts metabolism, and increases lean muscle mass, all of which can help with weight reduction and weight maintenance.

Disease Prevention: Regular physical exercise is linked to a lower chance of acquiring a number of chronic illnesses, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, some forms of cancer, and heart disease. Additionally, exercise aids in the management and control of pre-existing medical disorders like osteoporosis, arthritis, and persistent pain.

Benefits for Mental Health: Exercise has a favorable effect on mental health. It can enhance mood, lessen signs of anxiety and sadness, increase self-esteem, and promote more restful sleep. Endorphins, which are the brain’s natural mood-enhancing substances, are stimulated by regular exercise.

Cognitive function: Exercise has been demonstrated to boost memory, concentration, and problem-solving abilities while also enhancing cognitive function. In particular, it promotes the creation and growth of new brain cells in regions related to memory and learning.

Stamina and energy: Regular exercise boosts stamina and energy and lessens fatigue. It increases cardiovascular efficiency, enabling the body to provide oxygen and nutrients to muscles and organs more effectively, leading to an improvement in stamina and endurance.

Bone Health: Weight-bearing workouts, such jogging, walking, and resistance training, help strengthen bones and lower the risk of fractures and osteoporosis, particularly in older persons.

Longevity: Research repeatedly demonstrates that those who regularly engage in physical exercise live longer and are at a reduced risk of dying prematurely than people who lead sedentary lives.

At the end, what matters is to keep moving, stay active, stay fresh and enjoy your work. Don’t workout because the goal is associated with an unrealistic outcome of getting in shape quickly and looking good on the scales. Don’t workout to prove your worth or because it’s a challenge trending social media.

Move whenever you get time. Move wherever and as much as you can, even if it is to walk your pet or go for groceries or climb up stairs. Take things gently and one step at a time; avoid exerting yourself. Move because it will make you happy inside and out. Move with your companion or your pet to spend some of your best moments. Move because it is a privilege. Move because it might help you find your inner strength. Move because when you stand in front of the mirror, you will smile and be proud of the person you are becoming, just like I felt when I walked with Max, my beloved dog and felt fresh, active and a sense of contentment.