Get Happier with This Walking Option

Walking is a great way to get healthy and happy. But mentally you'll feel even better if you make the choice to walk outside.

Research shows that adults who take their walks outside tend to feel less tense, angry, confused, and sad compared with their peers who walk indoors.

The Great Outdoors
Is it the fresh air, the sunshine, the greenery? No one knows for sure. But something about the great outdoors appears to help people derive even bigger benefits from their workouts. Not only do outdoor walkers get a better boost to their mental well-being, but also they tend to feel more committed to their walking programs. And considering what a challenge it can be to stick with any exercise program, that's a pretty big perk. (No time for exercise? Here are four ways to find time to walk when you're just too busy.)

Going Green
Anywhere from 40 to 50 percent of people quit their gym memberships within a year. So why not start off on the right foot by choosing a workout that has the highest compliance rate of all: walking. And seek green whenever you can; people who live in areas with lots of greenery are three times more likely to be physically active and 40 percent less likely to be overweight or obese. (Ready to walk off that extra winter fat? Here are four keys to walking off weight.)

Two more reasons to walk

• It can change your life. Walking coach Leslie Sansone describes how.
• It's tops for your health. Here's a list of 10 great things walking does for you.

RealAge Benefit

Exercising regularly can make your RealAge as much as 9 years younger. Take the NEW RealAge Test!

References

Actively patrolling your health can make your RealAge as much as 12 years younger. Take the RealAge Test  Copyright 2010 RealAge