As we grow up, stress has been part of our lives. There are many factors that cause stress; school, adolescence, family problems, etc. We even have the pandemic to top it all.

But we must help ourselves, we can’t just settle with being stressed and problematic. One way to cope with stress is by walking. Whether it’s a short or long walk, it helps.

Personally, walking relieves my stress, and I want to encourage all of you to do it too. Last week, I decided to take a walk with my cousin and her dog because I was feeling really tired. The past days have been tough for me. During the walk, I didn’t expect it to be absolutely refreshing. The warm weather is also a big factor. We walked for around 20 minutes. It wasn’t that cold and the wave of air felt good.

When we came back, I was recharged. I had the strength to do my school work, solve problems easily, think critically, and I became alert. Not only that, but it also boosted my self-confidence.

According to Stacy Martinez, walking is also her “stress reliever.” She continued on by saying, “It loosens me up whenever I’m tensed and it also calms me down. After taking a walk, I feel that my body is rejuvenated and my mood becomes lighter.”

I asked Martinez why she thinks walking can help relieve stress. “By walking, our body produces endorphins or the chemicals that relieve stress and pain. We also breathe fresh air which is healthy for the body,” she answered.

Another friend of mine, Dorothy Velasquez, said that walking makes her “forget all the things that stress her out.” The cool air makes her feel great. She considers walking as a “therapeutic exercise.”

I also asked her the same question I asked Martinez and she said, “I think walking relieves stress because it clears our mind from negativity. It draws our focus to the beautiful ambiance we’re walking within. And the fresh air we get to inhale just makes us feel good and relaxed.”

School has been very draining, especially now that we’re doing it online, so we might as well find our own unique way to cope up with stress. It’s not easy, I know, but we’ll get through this.