Monday Motivation: Take the Damn Walk

Tammy Landsiedel
Jun 23
3 min read

After two solid days of what I can only describe as biblical-level rain, I was starting to wonder if the universe was testing me—or just slowly trying to turn my living room into a mossy bog.

Even Lucky, my doodle-shaped shadow, wasn’t having it. One day of avoiding the outdoors altogether. Two days of "I’ll pee on the step and that’s it." I understood. I wasn’t into it either.

But finally, the skies eased up. It was still overcast, but not cold—and that was good enough for both of us. We needed to get out and walk.

🐶 Why the Dog Walked Me (Not the Other Way Around)

Lucky isn’t just a dog. He’s a curly-coated bundle of energy with the capacity for zoomies and existential angst if he doesn’t get some stimulation. When he hasn’t done something “busy” with himself, he starts pacing the house like a caffeinated ghost. So off we went, on a practical, not-too-wet walk, because Gods forbid I let that much moisture near his fur. Doodles and rain-soaked grass are a grooming horror story waiting to happen.

We didn’t go anywhere fancy—no parks, no nature trails—just meandered down the street, descended a big hill, then turned around and came back up (which my thighs are still mad about).

By the end of it, Lucky was panting, wagging, and blissfully worn out. I was sore, tired, and slightly smug. Win-win.

We rehydrated like two hungover athletes, then flopped on the couch and had a nap like toddlers after daycare. Peak bonding, really.

🚶‍♀️ Walking: Why It Works (Science Says So)

Here’s the thing: walking is wildly underrated. It seems simple, but it does a lot—for both the dog and the human at the other end of the leash.

💡 1. Walking Improves Mental Health

Studies show walking can significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. It boosts mood by releasing endorphins (those happy brain chemicals) and helps clear the fog that tends to build up after too much time inside your own head—or your own house.

🩺 2. It’s Good for Your Physical Health Too

Walking strengthens muscles, improves cardiovascular function, aids in digestion, and can reduce the risk of chronic illnesses. Bonus: it doesn’t require spandex or an expensive gym membership. Just shoes and the will to leave your house.

🧠 3. It Enhances Cognitive Function

Getting your body moving increases blood flow to the brain, which improves concentration, creativity, and memory. So yes, a walk really can help you “clear your head”—and maybe even help you remember why you walked into the kitchen in the first place.

💤 4. It Helps You Sleep (Eventually)

Tiring your body out with gentle, consistent movement helps regulate your sleep cycle. That nap after our walk? Yeah, that wasn’t laziness. That was neuroscience. Probably.

🌧️ Final Thought: Walking in Imperfect Weather

The weather wasn’t perfect. My legs were mad at me. My dog needed grooming just from looking at the grass. But it was worth it.

Sometimes the simplest acts—like walking down a hill and back—are what help us reset. They pull us out of the haze and back into our bodies. Into our senses. Into the moment. And sometimes, back into the motivation we forgot we had.

So if you’re waiting for the perfect day, perfect mood, or perfect weather—don’t. Take the damn walk. You and your sanity might both need it.