Fourth Important Habit...It's SO Important

Another important habit that most successful people do is to go outside and walk. Being outside, getting some fresh air, and simply walking has so many enormous benefits, many people may not be aware of these benefits to take advantage of it. 

I was not a big walker, I enjoyed the occasional walks with friends, especially during this past year where there wasn't much else to do. However the benefits of walking goes way beyond the simple health benefits below according to the Arthritis Foundation: 

• Improve Circulation
• Shore Up Your Bones
• Enjoy a Longer Life
• Lighten Your Mood
• Lose Weight
• Strengthen Muscles
• Improve Sleep
• Support Your Joints
• Improve Your Breath
• Slow Down Mental Decline
• Lower Alzheimer’s Risk
• Reduce Incidence of Disability 

In addition to the above walking allows you to clear your mind, increase your focus, and motivates you. Whenever you are in a bad mood, feel stuck, or feel depressed, going for a good long walk can only help. 

Two years ago, I after having 20/20 vision for most of my life, I started to notice that my vision was declining and that many things were becoming blurry. I noticed it while I was driving, I was no longer to read street signs from a distance, and when I was in the office and there was a presentation and I was sitting in the back of the room, I was not able to read some of the words. I went to see my vision doctor and indeed, my vision had declined sharply and I now needed glasses. I asked my doctor what could of happened (aside from aging), and he asked me if I take regular walks.

The last two years, I had no longer walked, I was always busy, didn't take lunch breaks, and was stuck inside for most of the time until it was dark and time to go home. I would leave my corporate job and walk for 10 min to my parked car and drive home, and that was the extent of my walks; 10 min in the morning and 10 minutes at night.

I was confused why my doctor asked about walking outside and I asked why that's related to my declining eye sight. He explained that when you go outside, your eyes are looking out into the distance, your eyes are getting some sun or natural light and that helps your eyes adjust to looking at distances. If you are like me and spend too much time behind the computer screen, then your eyes are likely adjusted to focusing on things near by. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology "Moderate physical exercise, like going for a walk three times a week, can lower your intraocular pressure (IOP) and improve blood flow to the retina and optic nerve." Who knew...

Really, the most important reasons for going for walks is to allow for you to a break away from work, family, problems, and to have time to clear your mind, think more clearly or just reinvigorate yourself. Even when you don't have anything to worry about or get away from, going for brisk walks can really make you feel better and aid your mental health. Plus, it's easy....

The only other thing my eye doctor said, that when you do walk outside and it's sunny, make sure you wear sunglasses, check out these cool branded sunglasses.

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