If you’re a dog owner, a daily walk with your four-legged friend may seem like nothing more than a simple daily routine. Chances are it’s something you and your dog are looking forward to. But this simple walk could do more for your health than you think. Once you TO DO If you understand the hidden health benefits of walking your dog, you might be inclined to do it more frequently – and you’ll probably have an excited pup too!
Most people understand that exercise, in general, is good for them. But there’s a common misconception that you need to hit the gym or run five miles to see real benefits.
In fact, there are immense health benefits to daily walking, and when you take your dog with you, you can enjoy even more benefits.
With that in mind, let’s look at some of these hidden benefits and what you can do to make walking your dog daily a habit you’ll both enjoy.
How walking benefits your well-being
Regular walks with your dog can naturally improve your physical and mental health. Some of the most well-known physical health benefits include:
- Better cardiovascular health
- Improved muscle tone
- Stronger bones
- Better endurance
Daily walking can also help improve your balance while reducing your risk of diseases like osteoporosis, heart disease, breast cancer and diabetes. It’s also a simple and effective way to manage your weight without having to go to the gym every day.
What might surprise you is that daily walks can also benefit your mental and emotional health. Regular physical activity can reduce stress, increase energy levels and give you an overall feeling of happiness. Research has shown that simply Owning a dog can help with problems like anxiety, depression and even dementia. Adding the benefits of walking every day can improve your mental well-being even further.
Being outside will also improve your well-being. Nature is a fantastic healer, known to reduce stress, improve mood and increase energy levels. You might gain a new sense of appreciation for the world around you that you wouldn’t get without spending time outside every day.
In addition to reducing stress and anxiety, taking your dog on regular walks can help you establish a healthy routine. According to Northwestern Medicine, effective routines improve mental health and lead to less anxiety. They also help you sleep better and improve your energy levels. Additionally, if you adopt a healthy habit, like walking every day, you may be more likely to adopt other healthy habits, including eating better, prioritizing sleep, and seeing your doctor regularly.
The social aspect
Dogs can be great icebreakers, especially if you tend to have trouble meeting people or being very social. If you’re new to your community, walking your dog can be a fantastic way to meet like-minded people, especially if you go to a dog park or other public spaces where pet owners might pass by their time.
Dogs are social creatures and they can encourage you to be too. What does this have to do with your health? Loneliness and isolation can lead to depression and anxiety, and can even negatively impact your physical health.
It’s not always easy to meet new people, especially if you live in a small town. By exposing yourself to your furry friend, you are more likely to interact with people with similar interests and avoid the negative effects of loneliness.
Benefits for your dog
If you are a pet owner, you probably consider your dog an important part of the family. You want to keep them as healthy and happy as possible, and a daily walk can help you do that. It’s probably no secret that your four-legged friend loves to go for walks. They may wag their tail, run in circles, or head straight for the door as soon as you say the word or when you take off their leash.
But walks aren’t just fun for dogs: they’re great for their health! Dogs need exercise just as much as humans, and they can reap the same physical benefits from regular activity.
Some of the biggest health benefits of dog walking include:
- Greater mobility
- Stronger muscles and bones
- Better digestive and urinary health
- Improved cardiovascular health
In some ways, walking can also improve your dog’s mental health. No dog wants to be bored and some breeds have trouble sitting still for too long. Regular walks can help give them something constructive to do. They will look forward to the sights, smells and sounds, as well as spending time with you. Plus, as the old saying goes, a tired dog is a good dog. If you are able to take your puppy for walks, he is less likely to be destructive at home.
Become a frequent walker
Ideally, you will be able to get into a routine that allows you to walk your dog every day. This is something you can both look forward to and you will immediately start enjoying it.
But sometimes developing new habits can be easier said than done. Luckily, there are a few tips you can use to get started, no matter where you live or what your schedule is.
First, if you don’t live in a neighborhood suitable for walking your dog, consider taking your dog to a nearby park or walking trail. If you are worried pet hair in the carkeep them confined to one area of your vehicle so they don’t spread everywhere, and invest in a pet hair removal brush for quick and easy cleanup.
If you live in an area where you’re comfortable walking, it’s easier to get started than you think. The most important thing is to give yourself enough time to walk around. Different breeds require different amounts of exercise, but the last thing you want is to feel like you have to rush through your daily walk. This won’t reduce stress, it will increase it. This might mean waking up a little earlier in the morning or changing your evening routine to watch less TV. If you want to make daily walking with your four-legged friend a habit, you need to make time for it.
If you have a puppy or dog who isn’t used to longer walks, it may take some getting used to – for both of you! Reward your dog while you walk by verbally praising him. Use a shorter leash at first and keep him close to you, taking a slight lead in front of him. This will establish you as their pack leader, and they will be less likely to pull and tug or try to chase a squirrel or random person while you head down the block.
There are many hidden health benefits to walking with your dog that you will likely discover once you start making it part of your daily routine. Not only will you experience mental and physical benefits, but simply spending time with your furry friend can make you both feel a greater sense of connection and closeness.
Your walking routine will end up being something you look forward to every day, so grab the leash and get outside.