Walking has many great benefits and it is an easy, convenient exercise that people of all ages can participate in and benefit from. Walking doesn't require any special equipment or gear, and it can be done anywhere at anytime, which is why it is a very easy option that is suitable for everyone. It is a low impact exercise, so there aren't any big risks of injury and it can also be done at your own pace according to your physical ability.
Physical Benefits of Walking Walking can increase your cardiovascular fitness, strengthen your bones and muscles and help to reduce body fat. Regularly exercising can also reduce the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and other health conditions. Walking can also boost immune function, meaning it can help reduce your risk of developing a cold or flu. For those that already have health conditions, walking can also help to improve conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and joint and muscle pain. Walking often can help with improving balance as well as building up your endurance, so it is a highly recommended activity for people of all ages!
Mental Benefits of Walking
Walking daily also brings benefits to mental health and mood. Doing exercise is known for improving mood because of the endorphins your brain releases, and walking has been found to also improve creativity. Walking is also effective in relieving symptoms of anxiety and helping with depression and fatigue. Walking in nature is found to be particularly good for helping improve mood and reduce negative thoughts. If you walk with friends or with family members, this can also make walking a social activity where you can spend quality time with others. Socialising and being with people can help make you feel happier as well as make the exercise more enjoyable.
How to Benefit from Walking
For the most benefits, try to walk for at least 30 minutes for as many days of the week as possible. Walk at a pace that is comfortable for you, so that you feel worked up but not too much that you will feel tired out. You can also use a pedometer to keep track of your steps and see how much you can walk each day! The recommended number of steps is 10,000 steps or more each day and you can make it your goal to increase your steps each day to get closer to 10,000!
Walking is convenient as you can do it anywhere so try to incorporate more walking into your daily life! You can do this by taking the stairs instead of the elevator, walking to local shops instead of driving, or getting off public transport one stop earlier to walk to work or home.
