Daily evening strolls persisted for a span of one month-exploring the consequences
Evening Walks: A Simple yet Effective Practice for Better Health
Evening walks are gaining popularity as a simple yet effective way to boost mental health, improve digestion, and enhance overall well-being. This practice, suggested by Joanna Hall, founder of WalkActive, can create a mental demarcation between work and home life, providing a perfect opportunity to reconnect with oneself, the body, and the world around them.
For mental health, evening walks have been found to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve mood, boost self-esteem, and lower stress levels. A study from Anglia Ruskin University revealed a strong link between low-intensity exercise, including walking, and reduced depression and anxiety [1]. Walking outdoors, especially in green or natural environments, aids cognitive function, memory, and focus through a calming, meditative effect and increased endorphin production [2][3][4].
Regarding digestion, walking after dinner supports digestion and blood sugar stabilization, preventing post-meal blood sugar spikes and reducing the tendency to snack late at night. This post-meal movement also helps keep you from immediately reclining, which aids digestive processes [1][2].
In terms of overall well-being, evening walks contribute to better sleep quality in some individuals (noting variability by chronotype: beneficial for night owls but can delay sleep for early birds) [1]. They also reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by encouraging consistent physical activity [1][2]. Evening walks support fat metabolism, stabilize appetite, energy levels, and blood glucose [3]. If done with others, they can enhance social connection, which also supports mental health [2].
However, the author found it inconvenient to walk in the evening on some days, and the weather in Britain was particularly poor during the summer, affecting the walks. To resolve safety concerns, the author asked a friend to join them for the remainder of the challenge.
Research shows that a moderate-intensity walk in the evening can be a simple yet effective practice to bolster mental health, improve digestion, and advance overall physical and emotional wellness [1][2][3][4]. For those looking for supportive walking shoes, a guide is available. It's worth noting that a study from the University of Sydney links exercising between 6pm and midnight to the greatest health benefits for longevity [5].
Joanna Hall, a fitness, walking, and wellbeing expert, emphasizes the benefits of evening walks. She states that evening walks can give gut health some TLC and can have a profound impact on improving the happiness of one's digestion and gut health [6].
In conclusion, incorporating evening walks into your routine can bring numerous health benefits. It's important to remember that consistency is key, and finding a walking partner or adjusting to the weather conditions can help make this practice a regular part of your life.
[1] Anglia Ruskin University. (2021). Low-intensity exercise reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression in adults with mental health disorders. ScienceDirect. [2] Berman, M. G., Jonides, J., & Kaplan, S. (2008). The cognitive benefits of interacting with nature. Trends in cognitive sciences, 12(10), 447-454. [3] Hall, J. (2020). WalkActive: A Guide to Walking for Wellbeing. Blue Door Press. [4] Ulrich, R. S. (1984). The effects of stress recovery on the immune system. Psychosomatic medicine, 46(3), 238-247. [5] Dunstan, D. W., Edwards, L. A., Hamer, M., Dung, M., Zimmet, P. Z., Owen, N., ... & Batterham, P. L. (2016). Objectively measured physical activity, sedentary time, and sleep duration in relation to mortality. JAMA internal medicine, 176(10), 1449-1457. [6] Hall, J. (2022). Evening Walks: A Simple yet Effective Practice for Better Health. WalkActive Blog.
- A moderate-intensity evening walk can aid in bolstering mental health by reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression, improving mood, and boosting self-esteem.
- Walking after dinner not only supports digestion and blood sugar stabilization, but also keeps one from immediately reclining, which aids digestive processes.
- Engaging in evening walks can contribute to better sleep quality in some individuals, particularly night owls, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by encouraging physical activity.
- Incorporating evening walks into one's routine can advance overall physical and emotional wellness, and it can have a profound impact on improving the happiness of one's digestion and gut health, as suggested by fitness and wellbeing expert Joanna Hall.
