Walking as a therapeutic aid is seriously underestimated. There isn’t enough room to list all the advantages of walking. Walking is easy to do, most healthy people can do it, and it can be done practically anywhere and at any time. All you need is a decent pair of walking shoes to get started. Walk with us in Walking: 12 Ways it Can Help You!
1. Walking is Low Impact
Exercises like jogging and running cause impact and stress on the body, whereas walking does not. Even if you’re not feeling well, you can benefit from movement by taking a moderately-paced stroll.
2. Builds a Strong Heart
Exercising makes your cardiovascular system work harder, which is good for your heart. Keeping your heart healthy will prolong your life.
3. Walks Improves Bone Health
As we age, our bones become less dense, brittle and they can become painful. This can result in shattered bones after a relatively simple fall. But keeping moving reduces your risk of developing these problems.
4. Improves Balance and Coordination
Your body works harder when you use it. Increasing your walking frequency enhances your balance and coordination. It takes a certain amount of consistent practice to build strong muscles and ligaments – but that invested effort will serve you greatly for years to come!
5. Increases Lung Capacity
Walking, especially fast walking, increases lung capacity. Usually, it takes 6-8 weeks of aerobic workouts to achieve significant results.
6. Ideal for Diabetics
Those with diabetes can benefit greatly by walking and burning off the excess sugar in their blood. It won’t cure type 1 diabetes, but it can assist people with type 2 and type 1 to reduce their insulin needs and dependency.
7. Relieves Joint Pain
Arthritis causes joint pain in the elderly. It may seem counter-intuitive to keep maintaining movement through arthritis discomfort, but it is true. Because arthritis creates scar tissue buildup in joints due to lack of movement, moving more can help.
It also helps your immunity to common ailments like colds by getting your blood pumping as well as cardiovascular and circulatory system active.
8. Energy-Boosting
If you’re feeling exhausted for no clear reason, go for a 10-minute stroll and you’ll feel considerably better. This is one of the reasons a quick walk helps you wake up.
9. Mental Health Benefits
Taking a walk in nature can also greatly boost your mental health and happiness. A leisurely walk in nature can help lift your spirits. If you’re anxious, go for a little walk (even on a treadmill) and in 10-15 minutes you’ll get rid of it.
10. Promotes Longevity and Health
Daily exercise will extend your longevity and quality of life. You’ll also live longer because you won’t be sick or in pain as much.
11. Tones and Strengthens Leg Muscles
Walking improves muscle tone across your whole body, especially if you include your arms and focus on your glutes and core muscles. Incorporating squats is also great too!
12. Ignites Creativity
When you’re stuck for ideas, go for a walk in nature (or on the treadmill) without tech disturbing you. You’ll be amazed how many ideas you’ll get. Always remember, infinite amounts of intelligence is flowing all around you and within you. Just tap into it with your mind, simple. Why isn’t this taught in school? (Tut tut!)
Just about everyone can walk. Because it’s so accessible, it’s the ideal workout to begin if you want to enhance your health and your life overall. Take your music, favourite podcast or Audible with you and you’ll have maximized your time invested too. Remember, health is wealth!
