Contrary to what many people think, there are many health benefits of walking daily. It is an excellent form of workout and a natural movement of the body – Everything moves, your arms, legs, stomach, shoulder, and many other parts of the body. In this article, you will find out everything you need to know about the benefits of walking every day.
The Benefits of Walking
Contents
- 1 The Benefits of Walking
- 2 1. Prevent Diseases
- 3 2. It Boosts Your Heart Rate
- 4 3. It Helps You Lose Weight
- 5 4. It Gives You Energy
- 6 5. It Reduces Stress
- 7 6. It Reduces Bad Cholesterol (LDL)
- 8 7. Reduces the Risk of Cancer
- 9 8. It Makes You Look Younger
- 10 9. It Gives You Time to Think
- 11 10. It Increases Your Immune System
- 12 11. It Prevents Osteoporosis
- 13 Conclusion
1. Prevent Diseases
If you don’t maintain a machine, it will get technical problems and will eventually break. It’s the same with your bodies. If you don’t take care of it, it just won’t work properly. Walking is simple to do, thus easy to integrate into your everyday life. Walking can prevent all sorts of diseases and regularize your metabolism.
If you suffer from constipation, then walking can solve this problem, too. It boosts your immune system and helps to control your blood sugar level. The list is long, but you get the image. In other words, walking improve your general health.
2. It Boosts Your Heart Rate
Your heart is a muscular organ, and the great thing is that you can strengthen it by exercising. The faster you’ll move, the more you’ll boost your heart rate. If you walk at a fast pace – meaning 100 steps per minute. Your heart will beat faster, thus will pump more blood through the tissues of your body. Health Research found that people who regularly practice cardiovascular exercise such as brisk walking, reduce about 45% the risk of developing heart disease.
3. It Helps You Lose Weight
Just because walking is a natural movement of the body doesn’t mean that you can’t lose weight. Quite the contrary, since walking is one of the easiest forms of workout to integrate into your daily routine, it will keep you motivated. Walking for at least 30 minutes every day will make you burn energy – meaning fat.
As I stated previously, the faster you walk, the better result you’ll get. For instance, if you walk at a fast pace (4-5 mph – 15 minutes per mile), you’ll burn an important amount of energy, and if you walk 1 hour, you’ll burn more, and as a result, you’ll lose weight. I am not speaking about calories because I just don’t believe in calories, but I’ll write another article about it.
4. It Gives You Energy
How often have you heard one of your friends, colleagues, or family members saying – I am tired! Many people complain they have a lack of energy during the day. One of the reasons is because of bad eating habits, but the other reason is due to a lack of exercise.
The best way to boost your energy is to eat good food and walk at least 4 to 5 times a week 30 minutes minimum. Doing so will raise your blood flow to your brain and release endorphins, which will increase your energy level.
Start with 10 minutes the first two weeks and slowly add more steps to your walking routine. You should feel more energetic already in the first days.
5. It Reduces Stress
You would hardly believe it, but did you know that most people practice walking to release stress and less to lose weight or get fit. Any cardio exercise can reduce stress and improves mood. And if practiced regularly – meaning at least three times a week, it will fight against bad mood and enhance your self-esteem. Studies have shown that walking 30 minutes has the same effect as anxiety-reducing medications. So why not use your legs instead of medicals?
6. It Reduces Bad Cholesterol (LDL)
Any cardio exercises such as swimming, running, bicycling, aerobic, to name a few, can lower the (LDL) bad cholesterol and raise the (HDL) good cholesterol. Walking can be a cardio workout if walking at a fast pace. And there is no doubt that it will lower your HDL if you walk 30 minutes each day over time.
It worked for me, and for many other people, and it will work for you too.
7. Reduces the Risk of Cancer
Research shows that physical activity reduces about 25% the risk of developing colon, breast, and many other types of cancers. Walking increases the level of oxygen in the blood and lowers the level of some hormones, such as estrogen and insulin. It also helps digest food faster, reducing Gastro-Intestinal and stomach cancer. So, yes, this another excellent reason to start walking every day!
8. It Makes You Look Younger
Want to look younger? Then walk every day! Walking will boost your blood flow, thus will give nicer skin color and more elasticity to your skin. It will strengthen the muscles of your body and firmer your skin. Not only will it make you feel good about yourself, but you will also look better.
9. It Gives You Time to Think
Walking is a great reason to get outside and get away from all distractions such as TV, computer, and phone calls. Walking relaxes your mind as well as allows you to find solutions to your problems faster. Also, it’s a wonderful way to spend time with family or friends.
10. It Increases Your Immune System
Walking 30 minutes a day reduces stress and improves circulation in your body. These factors fight against all sorts of infections and reduce the number of flu. By walking, you spend more energy. Hence it will make you sleep well during the night.
11. It Prevents Osteoporosis
Walking is an excellent form of exercise for the bones. It keeps them in good shape and reduces about 30% the risk of fracturing the hips according to health study from New England. They say that by walking every day, it can also prevent osteoporosis.
Conclusion
After reading this article you should know why walking is good for your health.
There are many other benefits of walking regularly and mentioning all of them would have taken more than one page. I will publish more of them, though, in the future. So stay tuned and in the mind time, start walking or if you are already into it, keep adding more steps to your daily life. You’ll be glad you did!
Do you know other benefits of walking daily? If so, you are welcome to share them in the comments below.
I don’t know about you, but I love my feet because they allow me to walk and go wherever I want to go. Without them, I would be lost! So I always spoil them with a good pair of walking shoes to make sure they are as comfortable as possible. If you take care of your feet, they will take care of you and your health. Well, fitted shoes will protect them and allow you to get more steps without pain!
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