Steps That Counted

She walked without a destination, letting her feet decide the pace. Light to moderate physical activity, such as walking, has been shown to improve mood, reduce anxiety, and support cardiovascular and cognitive health, even when done in short durations (Hanson and Jones 114).

Regular walking is also associated with improved executive function and emotional resilience over time (Erickson et al. 302). Each step felt ordinary, but together they carried weight. Progress did not always announce itself. Sometimes it arrived quietly, one footfall at a time.

Works Cited (MLA)
Erickson, Kirk I., et al. “Exercise Training Increases Size of Hippocampus and Improves Memory.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 108, no. 7, 2011, pp. 301–305.
Hanson, Sandra, and Andy Jones. “Is There Evidence That Walking Groups Have Health Benefits?” British Journal of Sports Medicine, vol. 49, no. 11, 2015, pp. 710–715.