There are a lot of things I try to be flexible about in this season of motherhood. A daily stroller walk is not one of them.
Unless the weather is truly miserable—icy, dangerously cold, or wildly windy (I really, really dislike wind)—getting outside for a walk with my kids is a near daily non-negotiable. And over the years, I’ve come to see it not as “exercise,” but as one of the most supportive rhythms of our days.
The Obvious Benefits (Yes, You Already Know These)
Let’s get the obvious out of the way first. Daily walking comes with a long list of well-documented benefits:
- Supports heart health ❤️
- Lowers blood sugar and blood pressure
- Boosts vitamin D ☀️
- Aids digestion
- Strengthens bones
- Supports immune health
- Increases endurance and energy
- Helps reduce body fat
- Clears mental fog and stress
And perhaps best of all: walking is the easiest form of movement there is. No special equipment, no complicated setup—just supportive shoes and a willingness to step outside.
But while all of that matters, those aren’t even the reasons walking has become so important to me.
My Two Favorite Benefits of a Daily Walk
1. Instant Mood Shift 🌿
A walk gives me immediate return on investment.
I almost always come home feeling:
- calmer
- lighter
- more patient
- or deeply grateful
Sometimes all four. Even on days when everything feels loud or overwhelming, the simple act of moving my body outside reliably shifts my mood. That alone would be reason enough.
2. It Works With Motherhood (Not Against It)
As a stay-at-home mom, finding 30 uninterrupted minutes to do anything for myself can feel impossible. Naps don’t align. Someone always needs something. And yes—often it’s snack- or poop-related.
A stroller walk solves this beautifully because it lets me stack needs instead of competing with them.
In one single activity, I get:
- Movement for my body 👟
- Fresh air for all of us
- Outdoor time for my kids
- Space to listen to a podcast, audiobook, music, or call a friend
- And, if timed right… naps 😴
It checks so many boxes at once.
How My Relationship With Exercise Has Changed
Before kids, exercise looked very different. I used to attend full 60-minute barre classes at a studio multiple times a week. I tracked classes, showed up consistently, and thought nothing of it.
Now? I have three little kids. And the reality is:
- Some mornings I get 7 minutes before someone cries
- Some mornings I miss my window entirely
- Some days my “plan” to work out during naps never happens
And that’s okay.
I’ve learned that:
- 15 minutes is better than 10
- 10 minutes is better than 5
- 5 minutes is better than nothing
Anything is better than nothing.
My goal now isn’t perfection or metrics. I don’t log steps. I don’t chase numbers. My only goal is gentle, daily movement—whatever that looks like on a given day.
And on days when a workout doesn’t happen?
The stroller walk always saves the day.
Why the Stroller Walk Works So Well
Once kids are fed, diapered, buckled in, and handed snacks, a walk is surprisingly interruption-free. Unlike at-home workouts or gym trips, there’s very little that pulls me away once we’re moving.
Kids are:
- calm
- entertained by the world
- soothed by fresh air and motion
It’s regulating for them—and deeply regulating for me.
Yes, getting out the door can be a hassle (especially in winter). Shoes, coats, snacks, hats—it can take 30 minutes just to leave the house. But the moment we step outside, it’s always worth it.
Walk First, Play Second (Trust Me)
One of my favorite strategies is choosing parks or playgrounds with walking paths.
The rhythm looks like this:
- Arrive
- Snacks are distributed
- We walk for 30 minutes first
- Then they play
This is crucial. Walk before play—because if you know, you know.
It becomes a win-win-win:
- I get my walk 🚶♀️
- They get outdoor play
- I’m in a much better mood by the time we’re done
Outdoor Time Matters—for All of Us
I’ve talked before about our 1,000 Hours Outside challenge (Episode 14), and I truly believe outdoor time is essential for children’s development.
But there’s no reason mothers shouldn’t benefit too.
We don’t need separate self-care.
We just need to layer ourselves into the life we’re already living.
This Is a Season—and That’s Okay
There will come a time when:
- kids sleep through the night
- everyone is potty trained
- uninterrupted workouts feel possible again
But even then, I know I’ll still take my daily walk.
Because moving your body in nature is something different altogether.
As Genesis reminds us:
“God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together He called Seas. And God saw that it was good.” (Genesis 1:10)
We were given this beautiful world. We’re meant to enjoy it.
Final Thoughts
This is what my relationship with movement looks like now—as a mother of young children. And that’s okay. Every other part of life has changed. Why shouldn’t exercise change too?
If you’re in a similar season, let this be your permission slip:
A daily stroller walk counts. And it might just become one of the most grounding rhythms of your day 🌿
Happy walking. 💛