Walking: The Most Underrated Form of Movement

Welcome to PMH Moves – a year-long Health Promotion series shared through PMH Communications. Each month, we’ll highlight a different way movement supports health across the lifespan — from boosting mood and focus to strength, walking, healthy aging, and staying active through the seasons.

While the topics will change, the message stays the same: every bit of movement counts — and it all adds up. Take what works for you and leave the rest.

This month’s article explores why walking may be one of the most underrated forms of movement—and why it deserves a place in your routine.

When people think about exercise, walking is often overlooked in favour of activities that feel more intense, structured, or challenging. After all, can something as simple as walking really improve our physical health, mood, memory, sleep, and overall well-being?

Absolutely.

Walking is one of the most underrated forms of movement. It’s simple, accessible, free, and surprisingly powerful. Regular walking helps strengthen the heart and lungs, maintain healthy bones and muscles, improve balance, and support healthy aging. It can also boost mood and creativity, improve sleep, sharpen memory, and help reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression.

In fact, research has found that even a short walk can have an immediate impact on how we feel. One study found that just 12 minutes of walking increased feelings of energy, attentiveness, and overall happiness. Not bad for something that requires no special equipment and no gym membership!

Walking is also one of the easiest ways to fit movement into a busy day. A quick lap around the block, a walk at lunch, a stroll with the dog, or a catch-up walk with a friend all count. Walking with others can make activity more enjoyable while creating opportunities for connection, conversation, and support.

If you’re new to walking, start small. A five- or ten-minute walk around your neighbourhood or workplace is enough to get started. Over time, you can gradually walk longer, pick up the pace, or explore new routes to keep things interesting.

This month, challenge yourself to find one opportunity to walk that you might normally miss. It could be a quick stroll after supper, a lap around the block at lunch, or a walk with a friend. It doesn’t have to be long or fast—every step counts. You may discover that one of the most underrated and effective forms of movement has been right outside your door all along.

Happy walking!

Submitted by Nikki Dean, Health Promotion Coordinator