10 Ways to Make Your Walk Feel Like “Me Time”

Sometimes, when life gets busy, your daily walk feels like just another thing on your to-do list. I’ll admit that I’ve been feeling that way quite a bit lately. After all, it’s May-cember, when every day is another band concert or school event or practice day—in addition to having a sick kid who need extra attention, three back-to-back out-of-state volleyball tournaments, and sudden allergy attack. There are days when I feel like I should just skip the walk and fit in some extra laundry or run some errands instead.

Sometimes, after squeezing in a walk, instead of feeling refreshed, I just feel frantic.

But walking doesn’t have to feel like a chore. In fact, with a few simple shifts, your daily walk can turn into more than just a way to stay fit and healthy. It can be the thing that helps you refresh, relax, and reset.

Here are 10 ways to make your walk feel like “me time”—without adding anything to your already busy schedule.

1) Tune Out the Noise

When I’m on the trail, I often come across people who are so engrossed in whatever is on their phone screen that it’s a wonder they haven’t walked right into a tree. And I get it. Those notifications are definitely persistent—and I’ll admit that I occasionally find myself pulling out my phone to answer a quick message. But “just a quick text” often turns into a peaceful walk being completely lost to texts and emails and social media updates.

Instead, I try to make it a rule to tune it all out while I’m walking. The texts and emails and posts can wait. And while most of the message notifications pop up on my watch, I can take a quick look to make sure it’s not an emergency—and then continue on with my walk.

Sure, that takes willpower—so if you need a little help, try putting your phone on Do Not Disturb until you’re done. You might be surprised by how refreshing that unplugged time can feel.

2) Bring Coffee (or Another Favorite Drink)

You know that moment when you take your first sip of your morning coffee (or afternoon tea…or another beverage that just makes you happy)? Imagine enjoying that sip while breathing in some fresh air on your favorite trail.

There’s just nothing like a hot cup of coffee on a cool morning…or a sweet iced coffee on a summer day…to make your daily walk feel more like a treat than a task.

3) Create a Walking-Only Playlist

Your walk will feel more special if you save something just for that time.

Create a playlist of all of your favorite songs. Set aside a favorite podcast. Or choose a book that you’ve been excited to read—and listen to the audiobook on your walks instead. If you’re walking on a treadmill, stream a fun series that you get to watch only while walking. All of these things will give you one more reason that your walk is something to look forward to instead of just checking off your list.

4) Let Go of Demands and Expectations

I am a naturally competitive person—but I’m not competitive with other people; I’m competitive with myself. I always want to push myself to go a little faster, to walk a little farther, to hit those step goals and that big annual mileage goal. But you don’t have to push yourself every time.

If you need a little R&R, allow yourself to let go of the expectations you put on yourself. You don’t have to walk a certain distance or a certain time or a certain speed every single time. You’re allowed to slow down and just enjoy the walk. Give yourself permission to just relax and take it all in.

5) Change It Up

Sometimes, changing small aspects of your walk can make it feel new and fun and interesting. You don’t have to research a new trail or drive far away to make it feel different. Just try something a little different. Wander around a nearby park. Wander off onto a street in your neighborhood that you don’t often explore. Even walk your regular route in reverse! Just a small change can make your walk feel fresh.

6) Give Yourself Thinking Time

I often find that walking helps me clear my mind and work through things that I’ve kept on the back burner for too long. It’s where I’ve thought and planned and brainstormed and dreamed and made changes.

If you’ve been struggling to make a decision…if you’re trying to set goals (or trying to figure out how to achieve your goals)…or even if you’re just working on planning something for the future…your daily walk is the perfect time to clear your head and figure it out.

Which leads me to…

7) Ditch the Headphones

You probably already know that this one terrifies me. Left to my own devices—without an audiobook to distract me—my mind tends to wander into places that stress me out. But that’s just me. And even I can admit that there have been times when I turned off the book and was able to plan some pretty great stuff.

Walking without music or audiobooks or podcasts can actually be surprisingly calming. It helps you take in your surroundings—the sights, the sounds, the smells. It allows you to enjoy nature and focus on what’s going on around you instead of what’s playing in your ears. And, as you let your mind wander, you might actually stumble upon something remarkable along the way.

8) Dress for Comfort (or Just for Fun)

There’s a woman who I see on the trail several times a week who always wears the same thing: black pants, black jacket, big black sunglasses. And her expression is always as dark as her wardrobe. Every time I see her, I feel a little bad for her because she looks miserable.

Walking is supposed to make you happy. It’s supposed to be fun. So make it feel fun. For me, that means some wild and colorful CVG leggings, some super-comfy walking shoes, and a pair of goodrs to match the day’s ensemble. For you, it could be something bright and obnoxious. It could be something incredibly comfortable. Heck, it could even be all black because it makes you feel like a spy…or a ninja…or whatever. Whatever makes you happy, that’s what you should wear.

9) Reward Yourself

When you participate in a race, the celebration begins once you cross the finish line. There’s a medal and pictures and a banana and whatever else the race’s sponsors have provided. And that makes you feel like you’ve really accomplished something.

Maybe the full finish-line experience isn’t doable every single day, but you can still reward yourself at the end of a walk. Maybe that means getting a few extra minutes to sit outside and enjoy the day. Maybe it’s my personal favorite: a coffee waiting for you at home. Maybe it’s a small snack or your favorite protein drink. It doesn’t have to be huge—just something that makes it feel like a celebration.

10) See It for What It Is

Really, though, you don’t need reasons for your walk to feel like “me time”—because that’s exactly what it is. It’s more than just a chore. It’s more than they say in the memes: “Going for a stupid walk for my stupid mental health.” This is your time. Your time to take a break, to hit the reset button, to relax and recharge. And when you start thinking about it that way, it will become something you protect—not something you skip.

In order to enjoy more me time, you don’t need to find more time in your already busy schedule; you just need to make the time you already have feel special.

A walk can feel like a task to check off your daily to-do list—something you need to do to stay healthy. Or it can be your favorite part of the day. All it takes is a small shift in your mindset to make it something you truly enjoy—day after day, mile after mile.