Here’s How Walking Can Improve Your Health

Some people live sedentary lifestyles or may not have the time or resources to visit the gym regularly. Walking is a great way to maintain good health, as it can significantly improve physical and mental well-being. Let’s look at how walking can maintain or improve health.

Seven ways walking can improve your health.

Walking is low-impact and can be done at any time of day, at your own pace. Regular brisk walks can help improve your health in the following ways:

1. Walking for 10 minutes, especially in greenery or sunlight, can help transform your mood. When walking with others, your interaction can help you feel more connected, adding to happiness.
2. Regular walking can reduce fat and improve your body’s response to insulin, helping you to maintain a healthy weight and lose body fat.
3. Walking helps the body use insulin better, which can help manage type 2 diabetes. Regular walking can also manage or prevent heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and cancer.
4. A robust walking routine can improve heart health and promote cardiovascular fitness.
5. You can strengthen the immune system and reduce cortisol levels (stress hormones) and tension when you practice walking frequently.
6. Long-term walking can strengthen your bones and improve muscle endurance. It works directly on the bones in your hips, legs, and lower spine to reduce density loss.
7. A regular morning walk can help stimulate your digestive system, increase energy levels and improve cognition, memory, and sleep.

What do you need to get started?

Ensure you have a comfortable pair of walking shoes with adequate support to reduce the risk of blisters. If you are going for a long walk, wear loose-fitting clothing. Bring water, healthy snacks, sunscreen, a sun hat, a spare top, and a small backpack or pouch for keys and other essential items. Wear bright colours or reflective tape for visibility if you walk outdoors when it’s dark. You can use an activity tracker or app to help track your heart rate, calories, distance, and time.

What else should you consider?

Focus on your posture and movements to upgrade your regular walk to a fitness stride. Keep your head up, shoulders relaxed, back straight, and stomach muscles slightly tightened. Swing your arms freely with a slight bend in your elbows and walk smoothly, rolling your foot from heel to toe.

We hope these tips help you. Here’s to walking to good health!

____________________

Sources: Better Health, Mayo Clinic, Arthritis Foundation, and Prevention.