Health Benefits of Walks with Your Dog

"Daily walks are not just a great way to exercise your dog; you can benefit from them as well!

1. Increase physical fitness

It’s no secret that if you work out regularly, you’ll get fitter. But with many workout programs, half the battle is sticking with it long enough to see the benefits. Walking with a dog nearly eliminates this challenge—they will be your training partner and coach all in one. Once you start to establish a routine, they will be so excited to get outside that they won’t let you skip a day, rain or shine.

Walking is a fantastic low-impact activity you can do anywhere. Over time, it will help strengthen your muscles, bones, and joints. You may even notice that your normal route is feeling a little easy and decide to stay out longer or walk up that extra hill.

2. Better mental health

For people struggling with depression, having a dog can be a complete game-changer. It can be hard to motivate yourself to get out of the house if you are doing it by yourself. You may experience physical fatigue as a symptom of depression, and this can make it challenging to exercise, even though studies have shown that regular exercise can be a powerful antidepressant.

But there’s no better motivator than your dog giving you big puppy eyes and begging to go for a walk. Having a dog forces you to get outside, which starts a long chain of positive effects for your mental health. Physical activity releases endorphins in the brain that energize you and create positive feelings. It will reduce stress, boost mood, and increase mental energy. Additionally, the routine of walking a dog every day can be a healthy distraction from negative thoughts.

3. Improved sleep

You’ve probably seen your dog passed out on the floor when they get home from a long walk or long bout of play—this is because exercise is tiring! You might not need a nap immediately upon arriving home like your dog does, but studies have shown that regular exercise does help improve your amount and quality of sleep.

4. Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease

Daily activity not only helps keep your skeletal and muscular systems in peak working condition, it will also help maintain cardiovascular health."

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✨Takeaway: Daily walks with your dog can benefit both you and your pet! It can help by reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety and lower the stress hormone cortisol.

✨Reflection: How often do you walk your dog?

#Exercise #Motivation #Health #Walks #Pets #Benefits

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