The (Business) Benefits of Walking

If you’re already a member of my Facebook group for small business owners, Above & Beyond The Kitchen Table, you might have seen me mention my Walk, Talk and Sort sessions.

These informal meet-ups are the perfect combination of fresh air, exercise and the opportunity to chat through any issues or ideas you may have.

The thinking behind these sessions developed from the regular walks I take with my husband. In an effort to move more, we made a conscious decision to spend time outside. Almost immediately, we experienced the benefits of walking and talking together while surrounded by nature.

As I’ve said before, I believe maintaining positive physical and mental wellbeing is key to running a successful small business. Today, I want to talk about the crucial role gentle exercise can play.

Why Regular Exercise is Good for Business

The benefits of exercise are extensive and well-documented. We all know moving our body is good for us, impacting both our physical and psychological health. But have you ever stopped to think about how exercise might benefit your business too?

In the corporate world, research has shown that for every dollar spent by businesses on improving the health of their employees, there is a return of up to six dollars. That’s a whopping 600% return on their investment!   

Essentially, when exercise benefits the individual (you, the business owner, or your employees), those benefits radiate outwards, positively affecting your business.

Exercise helps us reduce and manage feelings of stress. It increases energy levels and improves health related quality of life. Exercise enhances self-concept, self-esteem, self-efficacy and self-confidence. It offers us opportunities to challenge ourselves and strive for goals. In many cases, exercise also increases social interaction. Through this, exercise improves morale, and from morale, it can increase productivity. The more global benefits to your business from these areas are obvious.

Are You Spending Enough Time Outside

‘Everything resets outside. Your mind resets, your priorities might reset. All these different things click over. And when you come back, you have this spark of creativity; the barrier that was there is no longer there. How powerful is that?’

– Ben Mcalary, Slow Your Home

My passion for walking as a form of exercise incorporates another set of benefits associated with spending time in nature.

According to Dr Miles Richardson, Head of Psychology at the University of Derby, research evidence shows exposure to nature can reduce hypertension, respiratory tract and cardiovascular illnesses. It can also improve vitality and mood, benefit our mental wellbeing, and restore attention capacity and mental fatigue. But more than that, feeling part of nature has been shown to significantly correlate with life satisfaction, vitality, meaningfulness, happiness, mindfulness, and lower cognitive anxiety.

Wherever you live and whatever your schedule, taking a regular stroll through a green space is probably an achievable goal. Beyond the time it’ll take you, it doesn’t cost anything, and the benefits can usually be felt from the moment you step outside.

If You Do One Thing This Week…

Get outside and go for a walk! I’m not talking about an elaborate nature hike – a simple stroll through your local park will do. Notice how you feel afterwards. Can you identify any benefits? How might they impact your business?

Further Reading/Watching/Listening

•    The Benefits of Exercising Outdoors
•    3 Time Management Tips That Actually Work
•    The Nature Fix
•    How Nature Can Make You Kinder, Happier, and More Creative
•    How Nature is Good for Our Health and Happiness
•    11 Scientific Reasons You Should Be Spending More Time Outside

Until next time

Val

Photo credits - Image 1: Captured by Megan Wilson Image 2: Christopher Terry Photography