The Incredible Powers of Going on a Walk Each Morning

Steven Hopper
4 min readJun 6, 2019
Photo by Marshal Quast on Unsplash

As part of my new “sisu” life mentality, I recently developed a habit of going on morning walks. I wake up earlier than I used to, immediately put on my shoes and head out the door to get some fresh air on a stroll around the neighborhood. Although it’s a small daily habit, here are a few of the major impacts it has had on my life so far…

Mind

A morning walk is the best way to wake your brain up for the day, because the sun’s daylight enters your eyes and communicates to your brain that it’s time to stop sleeping. But there are even more positive benefits from moderate sunlight exposure. Sunlight signals serotonin production in the brain, which raises your mood. It also helps your body absorb vitamin D, which is responsible for many important functions in your body and boosts your immune system. Research studies have even correlated walking with increased creative thinking and improved memory.

So, instead of going through my morning routine still groggy and half-asleep, now I come home after walking and feel more energized and ready for the day. A walk also gives me time to organize my thoughts and formulate a plan of attack for the day’s work. When I return home, I feel more prepared and less stressed about tackling all of the day’s tasks. I even enjoy my morning routine more, simply because I’m…

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Steven Hopper
Steven Hopper

Written by Steven Hopper

Stories of a former high school teacher, now business consultant. Husband. Travel fanatic. Obsessed coffee drinker. And all-around nerd.

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