First of all, you should always dress and prepare appropriately. Keep an extra pair of running or walking shoes around in case you need them, so you don’t have to miss your lunch-break walk because you wore your dress shoes to work! When it’s cold, dress in layers, and on hotter days, make sure to put on sunscreen and sunglasses before you begin your daily trek. Drinking water before, after, and during a walk is also very beneficial and in fact can be extremely important in order to maintain normal body temperature on hot days. For safety reasons, it is also good to walk with a buddy, and to keep identification on you in case of emergencies.
Technique can actually be very important as well. Make sure that your heel is touching the ground first, and then that the rest of your foot is rolling forward behind it. Your shoulders should stay back and your chin should be up. It is also good to swing your arms, and to begin and end with some mild or gentle stretching. When you are on the walk itself, try to begin with a few minutes of slower walking, intensify the speed, and the gradually slow it down again toward the end. This will allow your heart rate and blood flow to increase, while also allowing them return to normal in a healthy way.
With the right techniques and preparation, you can improve your walks and see more of the benefits of walking, including reduced stress, weight loss, lower chance of heart disease, and many more!