Even if you hate the gym with all your power and cringe at the thought of running around the neighborhood, walking is something you really should be doing. It’s a very light activity, one that won’t get you buff and strong, but it will definitely bring its own benefits.
So, if you know you need to incorporate more movement into your sedentary lifestyle, try walking and reap these amazing benefits. Do you know the health benefits of walking?
It Keeps You Fit
While it won’t do anything drastic when it comes to your weight, walking will help you burn calories and maintain a healthy weight.
If you just up your walking speed, increase the distance you covered and change the terrain (rugged terrain and walking uphill) you will be able to burn between 60 and 100 calories per mile, depending on your weight.
It Tones Your Muscles
Walking will definitely give you stronger muscles in your legs. If you wish to build more strength in your muscles, try choosing a hilly area for a walk, seek for routes with stair or put your treadmill on an incline.
You can also combine walking with other exercises like squats, lunges and leg curls to further tone your legs.
It’s Good For The Heart
Just 30 minutes a day for five days a week of walking can help your heart health. It will also reduce the risk of various heart diseases. If you decide to push your steps even further and increase the distance and duration, your heart will benefit even more!
It Controls Your Blood Sugar
Having a light and short walk after every meal can help keep your blood sugar levels at bay. 15 minutes three times a day is something even the busiest of us can spare especially when our health is in question.
While more research is needed to confirm the connection between blood sugar and walking, it’s a smart idea to make walking an integral part of your post-meal routine.
It Eases Joint Pain
While it might sound contradictory at first, walking can protect your joints, your knees and hips. The constant movement will help keep your joints and strengthen the muscles that support it. Just be sure you’re wearing the right footwear if you want to reap joint benefits.
In the summer, you can opt for light sneakers with good ventilation, but in the winter you can consider warm boots. You can even show off your love for your favorite sports by grabbing a pair of NRL Ugg boots that will motivate you to stay active while supporting your home team!
It Boosts Your Energy
Another contradictory thing, but taking a walk when you’re feeling tired might be a better solution than grabbing a coffee. Walking boost the oxygen supply and flow in your body and also releases cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine, hormones that elevate energy levels.
It Affects Your Mental Health
Walking also reduces anxiety, depression and negative moods. It can also positively affect your self-esteem and reduce social withdrawal. If you practice 30 minutes of brisk walk every other day, you will see what we’re talking about.
It Keeps You Creative
If you need to show your worth at work, try walking before you need to do anything creative. When you’re moving, it opens up a free flow of ideas and can help you come up with something really creative!
Walking is much better for your creativity than sitting or lying down. So, next time you have a work problem you can’t solve, take your entire team for a walk!
With all the benefits it brings, it’s not a surprise that many people swear walking saved their life. So, get up right now and have a 10-minute walk around the block. You’ll feel so much better when you can back!
You can find much more information on living a holistic lifestyle in these free magazines and on our YouTube channel.
Diana Smith is a full time mom of two beautiful girls interested in topics related to health and alternative medicine. In her free time she enjoys exercising and preparing healthy meals for her family.
