Why a Daily Family Walk is a Must

When I was pregnant with Girly Q, we started taking daily walks, originally it was just for exercise and fresh air but we discovered more benefits than we expected — laughter, deep conversation, bonding, and better moods, just to name a few! Because of them we’ve continued our daily walk tradition with our toddler and plan to continue as she grows older.

Seriously guys, the potential for conversation during a walk is amazing. With all the distractions left at home, and phones away in pockets creates an ability to connect that you’d otherwise miss out on. Some days it’s just light conversation, some days it’s a brainstorming dream session, and other days we unload on each other about our days, good and bad, but regardless it’s always refreshing and we come home happy and more inclined to spend even more time together instead of one devices, etc.

I will admit, there are those days when our daily walk doesn’t happen, if the weather is horribly hot or miserably cold we usually opt for an indoor family night instead or sometimes we head to the mall to walk and talk there. The mall isn’t at peaceful as our neighborhood walk but it’s still a fun way to connect, regardless. Being next to one another, even without words, is still bonding. It also shows your kids by example that family time is priority. (And, as a bonus on mall days, there’s usually ice cream nearby which makes for a fun family date night after!)

Tip: Don’t skip too many days in a row. The more frequent it is the more likely it is to become a habit and continue to happen even when life seems to get “too busy.”

Which brings me to my last point, busy days are often the best days to take a walk, even if it has to be a little shorter than usual. Often times, getting away for a moment to slow down and recharge translates into a more productive day after.

If you’re sold on the idea but need a little help getting the family excited about the walk, a good old incentive goes a long way with kids!

• Eat a favorite snack after the walk.
• Let them choose their favorite thing to do together when you get home.
• Earn a new pair of shoes after 30 straight days — incentives go a long way and they can be a great tool in creating a habit. Get out a calendar and mark each day you walk, if you do 30 days in a row let your hubby and kids pick out a new pair of shoes! If you’re shoe snobs like us, check out the awesome selection Famous Footwear has, we always migrate toward their Vans or Converse. The #ohsofamous, style gallery, is a fun place to get inspiration, explore what others are wearing, and see the variety that Famous Footwear offers and create yourself a wish list to inspire you during your 30 days of walking. Oh, and don’t forget to treat yourself to a pair too.

After you start walking and see what it’s all about, you’ll fall in love with the idea of a daily walk too!

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