So why is walking so great for me?
If you
don't believe that walking is the single most important thing you can do to
improve your health - think again! There are several physical activities you
can engage yourself in, but walking is the best of them all. There is a reason
why it is the most widely recommended form of exercise by physicians all around
the world. Here's why: It's simple! Walking isn't complicated (hell I've been
doing it since I was 10 months old). You don't need any fancy-schmancy equipment
either. It is low impact so that leads to a very important point - it has
little to no risk of injuries.
Unlike
other types of exercises, walking is ideal for people of all stages of life and
requires no training whatsoever to perform. On a daily basis you can have a 30
minute walk and you will benefit immensely from this simple exercise. The
following are only some of the numerous benefits of walking and why it is good
for your health:
- Reduces the risk of heart disease
There have
been many studies which show that walking on a regular basis can help reduce
the risk of cardiovascular diseases. This includes heart problems as well as
strokes. As you might know, there is good cholesterol (HDL) and bad cholesterol
(LDL). Walking lowers bad cholesterol levels in the body while at the same time
increasing the good cholesterol levels. Increased HDL cholesterol help in
keeping blood pressure under control.
- Lowers type 2 diabetes
According
to a study conducted by the British Medical Journal, walking on a daily basis
can greatly help prevent type 2 diabetes. As if that wasn't a reason enough to
start walking right now, it also reduces the risk of getting asthma and cancer!
The risk can be reduced for several types of cancer including cancer of the
colon, womb and breast. Now your evening stroll just got a purpose!
- Helps in maintaining a healthy weight
In order
for you to lose weight, it is important that you burn more calories than you
eat on a daily basis. Walking is one of the easiest ways to burn these
calories. This is attributed to the fact that when you walk, every single
movable part of your body is involved. This means that each muscle responsible
in the movement of these parts is working hard.
- Helps in preventing dementia
A recent
study showed that a huge percentage of the elderly population suffer from
dementia simply because of reduced brain activity. Being active has a positive
effect on brain function and helps it stay alert. Therefore in order to reduce
the risk of dementia, it is advisable to take regular walks.
- Enhances Bone Health
Walking
will stimulate and strengthen your bones. This in turn increases the bone
density and boosts their development and reduces injuries associated with
unhealthy bone formation or development. This is especially true for women. On
top of that, walking also helps in maintaining healthy joints and prevents the
risk of getting arthritis.
- Helps in toning your arms, bum, tummy and legs
A simple
walk can immensely strengthen your legs especially your hamstrings and quads.
It’s great for shaping your calves and your glutes (yes, your butt).
Additionally, when you maintain good posture while walking, it can also help
tone your abs and legs and even shape your waist as well. As you walk, you glutes
and abs are tightened naturally as your movement is controlled by your arms and
legs. Your figure will profit from this - another good reason for taking a walk
on a regular basis!
- Enhances your mood
Whether it
is mild or intensive exercise, it is agreed that exercising can improve your
mood. When you exercise or walk, it helps in the release of feel-good
endorphins by the body into the blood stream. These endorphins reduce stress,
mild depression and anxiety. So next time when you are feel down or stressed,
take a brisk walk and you will find your mood elevated and that the stress is
gone.
- Gives you energy
Walking
just like any other form of exercise increases oxygen supply in the body. This
improves blood circulation and helps you stay alert. All of this results in a
huge boost of your energy levels. It also eases muscle tension and reduces the
midafternoon energy slump that you usually feel after eating lunch. The best
way to deal with being sluggish, especially in the afternoon or when you are at
work, is to take a walk outside as it will help you feel alive all day. And if
you're suffering from a case of the Monday blues, try taking a walk. I
guarantee it is a better pick-me-up than a cup of coffee!
- Improves balance and coordination
Walking
helps in improving coordination of all parts of the body. When you walk, almost
each and every part of your body is involved. This makes it easy to improve
coordination because you have to balance your body. It's no wonder that
individuals recovering from any form of ailment are always encouraged to take
simple walks as a form of exercise.
- Enhance mental health
Being idle
has a lot of disadvantages to the brain. Walking gives you an opportunity to
change the setting of your environment, which excites the brain. This
excitement makes the brain active enabling it to reason faster and become
sharper. From the health benefits of walking mentioned above, it becomes very
clear that taking a walk on a daily basis is important to your general health.
Therefore, for you to stay fit and maintain a healthy body and mind, take walks
on a regular basis.
