Fall is the perfect time to take up walking. The sights and colors help to lower your blood pressure as well as lessen your anxiety and these days we all could use that.

I have been a walker most of my adult life and I can say without a doubt if you just lace up your sneakers and only walk 15 or 20 minutes each day you will be amazed at the change in your outlook. Walking increases serotonin levels, which can help to prevent depression and the traditional autumn and winter blues.

Walking in the fall is one of the best times to walk, especially if you are new to it. There are so many beautiful things Mother Nature shows you in the outside world during autumn.

Fortunately we are blessed with several great walking parks in Monroe County. Chestnuthill, Stroud Regional, Ross Township, and don’t forget the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area that is practically in our backyard.

Look around as you walk.

You only need to look up at the bright blue skies and the sparkling sunshine to see how Mother Nature has wielded her paint brush.

Leaves of red, yellow and burnt umber grace the trees and flutter their lazy way toward the ground.

If you walk in an area in the woods that has oak trees and pines trees, take along a paper bag and look on the ground for acorns and pine cones to collect. You can use them to create your own fall wreath.

Sit on a rock and watch the chipmunks and squirrels hustling back and forth to prepare for the coming winter.

If you wear a smartwatch, once you get home, check your heart and pulse rates during the time you were walking and enjoying being outside. You might be surprised in the changes during your walk.

According to the Mayo Clinic

• Walking increases serotonin levels, which can help to prevent depression and the traditional autumn and winter blues.

• Helps improve your psychological and mental health, especially if you walk outdoors.

• Something as simple as a daily brisk walk can help you live a healthier life.

• Maintain a healthy weight and lose body fat.

• Prevent or manage various conditions, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer and Type 2 diabetes.

• Improve cardiovascular fitness.

• Strengthen your bones and muscles.

• Improve muscle endurance.

• Increase energy levels.

• Improve your mood, cognition, memory and sleep.

• Improve your balance and coordination.

• Strengthen immune system.

• Reduce stress and tension.

I hope after reading my column you will think about all the enrichment you can find by taking up walking. Maybe we will meet someday on the trail.

Food for thought: Overall, more than half of people who run will experience some sort of injury from doing so, while the percentage of walkers who will get hurt is around 1 percent. Interestingly, it seems you can walk pretty much endlessly without any increased risk of hurting yourself, according to PubMed Health.