The constant hum of modern life is filled with digital screens, bustling cities, and sleepy suburbs where the healing power of nature often takes a back seat. The accessible and simple exercise of walking outdoors has a treasure trove of health benefits. According to the Mayo Clinic, regular brisk walking can help you maintain a healthy weight, lose body fat, reduce stress, and strengthen your immune system. What’s not to love about walking? We actually have 20 different reasons to love walking outdoors! Let’s take a look at 20 different health benefits of walking in nature and getting outdoors. Physical Health Benefits of Walking You’ll reap plenty of physical health benefits once you start incorporating walking in nature and getting outdoors into your daily routine. It’s a simple and practical way to improve cardiovascular fitness and enhance heart health. It’s a weight-bearing activity that can improve your bone density and muscle tone. Looking to burn calories? You can boost your metabolism and trim your waistline with regular outdoor walks. Because it’s a low-impact workout, it’s a sustainable and effective way to improve and maintain your overall physical well-being. Let’s check out more of these physical health benefits in detail. 1. Lower Blood Pressure For those who struggle with high blood pressure, walking and regular outdoor activity is associated with decreased blood pressure levels. It can also reduce the risk of heart-related conditions. As you walk outdoors, you’ll enjoy the serene environment and fresh air as it reduces your stress hormones and lowers your blood pressure. Spending time in nature can lead to a healthier heart and decreased blood pressure. The synergistic effect of nature combined with the physical, low-impact, and calming activity of walking aids in relaxation. For a more balanced physiological state, you can cultivate optimal cardiovascular health by taking regular and brisk walks. 2. Increased Vitamin D Intake Did you know that 35 percent of adults in the United States have a vitamin D deficiency? We’re not eating enough vitamin D, and we need to be out in the sun more (just remember to wear sunscreen!). The exposure to sunlight when walking outside aids in the production of vitamin D. Vitamin D is an important vitamin for our bone health and immune function. It’s also a fat-soluble vitamin that can help the body absorb and retain calcium, so that’s why it’s critical for building bone. Studies have also shown that vitamin D can reduce cancer cell growth to help control infections and reduce inflammation. Walking outdoors really does have plenty of health benefits! 3. Improved Sleep Quality Engaging in physical activity can help improve your sleep quality with a night of deeper and more restful sleep. Regular walks outside can help regulate your sleep patterns. After all, humans thrive on routine, and there’s nothing quite like a good night’s sleep after a low-impact workout like walking. 4. Weight Management When we think about losing weight, we often think about changing up our diet and hitting the gym. While it’s important to eat healthy and incorporate strength training to help lose or manage our weight, you can’t forget about the many benefits of continuous cardio workouts like walking. Walking outside can improve your metabolism and burn calories, all while taking in the views. 5. Enhanced Respiratory Health The average American spends 90 percent of their time indoors. We need to get out more! Breathing fresh air can improve your lung function and alleviate respiratory issues. Go for that outdoor walk – it’ll do your body some good. 6. Natural Pain Relief Unleash your body’s natural production of endorphins by walking outdoors. Being in nature can release the production of endorphins which are our body’s natural painkillers to help alleviate pain and discomfort. 7. Digestive Aid We all get an upset stomach from time to time. If you’re feeling queasy or just looking to help move things along, gentle movement by walking outdoors can aid in digestion and potentially alleviate gastrointestinal distress. 8. More Energy Increase your energy levels through a natural energy boost, like walking outside. Having more energy means you’ll feel less fatigued throughout the day, leaving more room for everything else on your to-do list. Once you immerse yourself in nature and walk on different terrain through various environments like parks, trails, or even your own neighborhood, you’ll be exposed to a natural environment that stimulates your body and mind. With the combination of fresh air and sunlight, you’ll have a heightened sense of vitality and alertness. The blend of movement and nature can increase your energy levels to boost your mood and rejuvenate your overall vitality. 9. Strengthened Muscles and Bones Compared to just walking indoors on a treadmill, walking outside will expose you to uneven terrain and different environments. You’ll engage various muscle groups and promote bone density, reducing the overall risk of osteoporosis. 10. Improved Balance and Coordination Because you’re navigating various outdoor landscapes, you’ll improve your balance and coordination. After all, if you’re used to just walking a straight and narrow path, you will only be used to walking on one type of terrain. Enhance your stability by walking on different terrain and on various trails to switch it up and build endurance. 11. Stronger Heart Health Improve your heart health by taking a hike. Walking can improve blood circulation and strengthen your heart, helping to reduce the risk of various cardiovascular diseases. 12. Immune System Boost Walking is a natural immune system boost, especially outdoors, since your body is exposed to a wider range of bacteria. By walking in diverse environments, you’ll contribute to a more robust immune system. Not to mention, generally, spending time outdoors has been linked to a stronger immune system, thanks to all that fresh air and sunlight. Social, Mental, and Emotional Health Benefits of Walking Now that we’ve looked at some of the physical health benefits of walking, let’s take a deeper dive into how being outdoors can uplift your social, mental, and emotional health. Being outdoors with others gives you a chance to foster meaningful connections with walking partners who hold you accountable — and vice versa. Mentally, you may find that walking can enhance your creativity and sharpen your thoughts. Emotionally, what’s not to love about all of the endorphins and natural mood boosts? Social Health Benefits of Walking When we talk about health and well-being, we may talk about physical or emotional health, but we so often forget about the importance of having an active and healthy social life. Walking extends beyond the physical benefits you get. The shared activity of walking encourages bonds and facilitates open communication. If you’ve been looking for a low-cost and accessible way to bond with your friends and family, engaging in outdoor activities is a great way to promote a sense of belonging and community engagement. Mental Health Benefits of Walking Being outdoors is a great way to trigger the release of endorphins. They’re a natural mood enhancer known for alleviating stress and anxiety. You’ll get a great sense of accomplishment once you start hitting goals like half a mile a day or five miles a week. As you walk through forest trails or skip through sandy beaches, you’ll have a chance to sharpen your focus and improve your cognitive function away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Emotional Health Benefits of Walking We all need a distraction from time to time. Instead of resorting to unhealthy coping mechanisms, going for a walk outdoors can boost our self-confidence and foster emotional resilience. You need time to reflect and process things emotionally so they don’t bottle up. Whether you want to walk alone or with friends, you’ll be able to release tension and express yourself emotionally in a healthy and positive way. 13. Better Mood Being exposed to the great outdoors can boost serotonin levels and release endorphins. You’ll have a more positive outlook and feel happier when you’re in nature. If you’re relatively new to walking, you may have trouble getting and staying motivated. To really reap the benefits of walking outdoors, you’ll need to make it a part of your regular routine. Get in the mood to walk outside by gearing up with workout accessories. There are plenty of cute and trendy options to look the part and feel great while wearing them during your walks. Shop Our Stackable Ring Options 14. Boosted Cognitive Function There’s a correlation between walking in nature and boosted cognitive performance. By walking outdoors, you’re more likely to enhance your problem-solving skills, boost creativity, and improve your focus. For better mental clarity, take that brisk 30-minute walk in the park or around your neighborhood on a daily basis. 15. Less Stress and Anxiety What’s better than a natural antidote to the trials and tribulations of modern life? Walking amidst the sights and sounds of nature’s tranquility will trigger positive relaxation responses to lower your stress hormones. Embrace a calmer mind by walking in nature. 16. Mind-Body Connection Promote mindfulness with a mind-body connection by fostering your mental well-being on a nature walk. There’s something to be said about a workout that offers a strong mind-body connection like walking does. You’ll find yourself having great conversations with friends when you walk or an excuse to finally finish that audiobook you’ve been meaning to listen to. Maybe you’ll be inspired to start something new or think deeper about something that’s been on your mind that you don’t have the time or space to think about outside your regular walks. To help inspire you on your mind-body outdoor walks, wear sustainable rings that work well whether you’re walking on the beach or grabbing drinks with your bestie after your walk. 17. Stronger Social Connections Walking is one of those low-impact exercises that allows you to move your body while strengthening your social connections. When you’re feeling like you’re in a funk, go for a group nature walk with some friends to help combat feelings of loneliness and isolation. Don’t know anybody in your area? No problem! Join a nature lover’s group to meet up with fellow nature lovers, and you might even make some new friends. If you’re going on a nice nature hike with a friend and want to look your best, wear functional jewelry. It’s a practical and stylish option to add something cute to your outdoor walk look without wearing jewelry that’s too heavy or cumbersome for your workout. Find Your Perfect Ring 18. Longevity Walk enough, and you might just live longer. Studies show that regular outdoor walking has been linked to increased longevity. With the combination of emotional, mental, and physical benefits, taking the time to walk outdoors can lead to a happier and healthier life. 19. Helps to Prevent and Manage Various Conditions Regular walking offers a multitude of benefits, like improving metabolism and burning calories. It can reduce the risk of obesity, lower your blood pressure, and even manage type 2 diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity. It’s a low-cost, accessible, and effective tool to help you maintain and improve your health. 20. Burn Calories with Just 30 Minutes of Brisk Walking Even just 30 minutes of brisk walking every day can effectively burn calories and lead to better health. You’ll get your heart rate pumping and stimulate your metabolism. While factors like your walking pace and weight affect how many calories you burn, on average, a 120-pound person can burn around 85 calories per mile. If you weigh about 120 pounds and walk for about 30 minutes at a 3.0 mph (normal) pace, you can burn about 100 calories. Now that you’ve embraced the call of the wild, you’re ready to venture out into nature. It’s no wonder that the desire to walk outside resonates deeply within us. Not only are you boosting your mood and improving your cardiovascular health, but you’re also taking in all the beautiful sights, sounds, and smells of the world around us. Whether you want to breathe in the salty ocean air or walk along a forest trail, look and feel your best with our best workout accessories. Incorporating these essential workout accessories can enhance your overall enjoyment of walking outdoors. Elevate your journey the next time you hit the trails. Image Credits Veranika Dzik/Shutterstock.com radoma/Shutterstock.com Anna Timoshenko/Shutterstock.com