A story that proves the benefits of walking
He
used to be a man of motion.
Back
when he worked at the bank, Mr Das would walk briskly to the station, briefcase
in hand, energy sharp as the morning air. Ten minutes to the train, five
minutes to his branch. He was in rhythm. Then retirement came.
With
it came stillness.
The
man who once walked five miles a day now barely crossed five rooms. His weight
crept up. His blood pressure spiked. His world shrank to the space between his
armchair and the fridge.
Until
one day, his grandson, ten years old and full of life, stood before him and
said:
“Grandpa,
if you walk with me every evening, I’ll tell you a new story every time.”
How
do you say no to that?
So
they walked. Ten minutes became twenty. Twenty became thirty. And with every
step, life returned.
One
month later, his doctor blinked at his report. “What have you done?”
He
smiled, “Nothing much. Just walked… while listening to stories.”
That is the benefit of walking daily. It is not just exercise. It is healing — for your body, your mind, and your soul.
We were built to walk, but conditioned to sit
As
children, walking was a celebration. Our first steps were met with cheers.
Movement was joy.
But
growing up taught us to sit.
- Sit at school.
- Sit at work.
- Sit to eat.
- Sit to scroll.
We
outsourced our motion:
- Lifts instead of stairs.
- Online orders instead of markets.
- Delivery apps instead of short walks.
- Chairs with wheels for “efficiency.”
We
made walking optional. We paid for it with our health.
The
cost of this comfort:
- Weight gain.
- Stress and burnout.
- Low energy and brain fog.
- High blood pressure.
- Depression and anxiety.
Greek philosopher Aristotle said, “Happiness is motion.” Modern science proves him right. If you want to feel better, move better.
What are the benefits of walking every day?
The
benefits of walking are bigger than most people think. It is not just
physical. It is emotional, creative, and spiritual.
✅ Energy on demand
Walking
increases oxygen flow. It lights you up from the inside.
✅ Stress relief
Walking
lowers cortisol and boosts dopamine and serotonin. Your stress melts, your
focus sharpens.
✅ Weight control
Walking
works for weight loss. It burns calories. It resets appetite. It reduces
cravings.
✅ Better sleep
Walkers
sleep deeper. Entrepreneurs who walk wake up fresher, even with the same hours.
✅ Stronger immunity
One
study found that walking 20 minutes a day, five times a week, cut the chance of
illness by 43%.
✅ Longer life
Daily
walkers live longer. In the world’s “Blue Zones,” where lifespans stretch beyond
100, walking is a common habit.
These are not small wins. These are life-changing results.
Is walking good exercise?
Some
people ask, “Is walking good exercise?” The answer is yes.
Walking
is not second-class fitness. It is one of the best exercises because it is
sustainable.
- Raises your heart rate.
- Strengthens your cardiovascular system.
- Controls blood sugar.
- Boosts endurance.
- Builds bone density.
- Improves mental clarity.
Doctors
recommend 30 minutes of brisk walking, five days a week. If you cannot do 30
minutes at once, three walks of 10 minutes deliver the same benefit.
Mahatma
Gandhi, the great leader of India’s independence movement, walked miles every
day. He said, “Cars take me to my destination. Walking introduces me to
myself.”
Walking
is an exercise. But more than that, it is self-discovery.
Walking for entrepreneurs: the real success habit
For
entrepreneurs, your greatest assets are not money or systems. They are:
- Energy.
- Clarity.
- Emotional balance.
- Mental stamina.
Walking
builds all four.
Think
of it as:
- A reset button when you feel stuck.
- A strategy meeting with your subconscious.
- A creative spark when no ideas come.
- A stress rinse when the pressure builds.
Even
ten minutes can change your day.
👉 If you are an entrepreneur feeling out of rhythm, book a clarity coffee chat with me here: Yasin Chowdhury Layek.
Walking and mental health
The
connection between walking and mental health is powerful.
- Reduces anxiety.
- Lifts mild depression.
- Clears mental fog.
- Improves mood.
- Strengthens decision-making.
Friedrich
Nietzsche, the renowned German philosopher, once said, “All truly great
thoughts are conceived while walking.” He carried a notebook to capture his
ideas on the move.
If walking worked for him, it will work for you.
Morning walks: a ritual for creative flow
Morning
walks are magic. The world is quieter. The air is lighter. Your mind is open.
Rabindranath
Tagore, the Nobel Laureate and one of Bengal’s greatest poets, walked at dawn
in Santiniketan. Many of his timeless works were born on those paths.
If morning walks fuelled the creativity of a genius like Tagore, imagine what they could do for your ideas and your business.
Walking for weight loss
Walking
for weight loss is often underestimated. But it works.
- A brisk 30-minute walk burns 150–200 calories.
- Appetite hormones reset.
- Stress eating reduces.
- Belly fat shrinks.
Unlike extreme workouts, walking can be done every day. It does not drain you. That makes it a realistic path for entrepreneurs.
Walking vs running vs gym: which is better?
People
often compare walking with running or gym workouts.
- Running burns more calories but stresses the joints. Few sustain it for decades.
- Gym workouts build strength, but require time, equipment, and motivation. Many quit.
- Walking is joint-friendly, consistent, and lifelong.
Walking may not look “hardcore,” but it wins because it works for everyone, every day, at every age.
The Prophet’s example: purposeful walking
The
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the Messenger of Islam, walked with
strength and intent. His pace was brisk and forward-leaning.
Caliph
Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) once saw a man walking lazily. He asked if he was
sick. The man said no. Umar replied, “Then walk with strength.”
Walking with purpose reflects living with purpose.
How many minutes should you walk a day?
The
answer: at least 30 minutes, five days a week.
Can’t
manage 30? Try ten minutes after each meal. The benefits add up.
Pro tip: Walk fast enough to raise your heart rate, but still be able to speak in short sentences.
How to build a walking routine that sticks
Practical
ways to make walking part of your life:
- Start with 10 minutes a day.
- Pair it with music, podcasts, or voice notes.
- Walk after meals.
- Use stairs instead of lifts.
- Walk during meetings or calls.
- Walk with your kids, partner, or colleagues.
- Make one weekend walk a family ritual.
- Combine walking with prayer, gratitude, or breathwork.
Consistency makes the habit.
Real-life wisdom and proof
- Grandson effect: A child’s stories restored his grandfather’s health.
- Mahatma Gandhi: Walked daily and discovered himself.
- Nietzsche: Conceived great thoughts while walking.
- Tagore: Created timeless poetry on dawn walks.
- Prophet Muhammad (pbuh): Walked with strength and purpose.
- Umar (RA): Commanded others to walk firmly.
- Mark Carney, Canadian Prime Minister: Completed a 26 km race at age 60, proving that even the busiest leaders make time to walk.
These
examples show one truth: walking is not trivial. Walking is power.
FAQs about walking
Q. Is walking good exercise?
Yes. Brisk walking strengthens your heart, burns calories, and clears your head.Q. Can I lose weight by walking?
Yes. Walking daily burns calories, resets appetite, and shrinks belly fat.Q. How many steps should I aim for?
10,000 is common, but research shows 7,000+ daily steps already reduce disease risk and extend life.Q. Can walking improve mental health?
Yes. Walking reduces anxiety and depression. It boosts mood, focus, and creativity.Q. What is the best time to walk?
Anytime. But morning walks give extra clarity and energy.Your body will thank you. Your business will too.
Mark
Carney ran a 26 km race at 60. His words were clear: “You don’t find time. You
make space. And movement creates that space.”
If
the busiest leaders on earth can walk, so can you.
So
next time your energy dips, your mind clouds, or your strategy stalls, don’t
scroll. Don’t over think. Just walk.
Ready for your walk-and-talk?
If
you are an entrepreneur, creative, or coach who feels drained, out of rhythm,
or overwhelmed, let’s talk.
I
help entrepreneurs rebuild energy, align their mindset, and realign their
business flow. Walking is one of the tools we start with.
Book a 15-minute clarity coffee chat here:
👉 Yasin
Chowdhury Layek
It
is free. It is simple. And you will walk away with clarity.
Remember:
Sitting is stagnation. Walking is life. Life is in motion.
0 Comments