Walking may not appear to be a cool exercise to many, but taking daily walks, no matter what time of day, will keep you physically and mentally healthy.
Regular walks can provide significant benefits such as improved balance and coordination, and when combined with strength training, can help build lower body strength.
Not to mention that walking requires no special training or equipment. All you need is a good pair of walking shoes.
Still not convinced? Here are 12 more compelling and excellent reasons why daily walking is beneficial to your health, so you can get started.
1. Helps in weight loss
Even “just walking” can help burn some calories. In fact, walking one mile burns around 100 calories. And, while the exact amount you can burn is still dependent on your body weight, metabolism, walking speed, and effort, the fact remains that going for a walk will burn off more calories than simply sitting on your comfy couch.
Furthermore, the human body is designed for movement, and walking is the most natural way to get your body moving and, for many men and women, a much more sustainable weight loss method.
2. Improves heart health
Incorporating a short walk into your daily routine can significantly improve your health, particularly your heart health.
Walking provides benefits with each step and is some of the best cardiovascular exercises. According to the American Heart Association, it can improve your cholesterol, blood pressure, and energy levels and fight weight gain to improve overall heart health.
Walking can also help you relax, clear your mind, and improve your mood. So, whether you’re going for a stroll, a stretch, a stride, or a saunter, get out there and walk. Your heart will indeed thank you.
3. Reduces chronic diseases
Adopting an active lifestyle is an excellent way to lead a healthier lifestyle. Walking, on the other hand, is a moderate physical activity that can provide both movement and exercise.
Physically active people, as is well known, live longer lives and are less likely to develop chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, depression, and certain cancers.
4. Delays aging
A healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet and regular exercise such as walking can help you live a longer life. For one thing, it improves your mood, making you feel and look younger than your age.
In addition, according to a study published in PLOS One, increasing your walking pace may slow down your biological aging process by 16 years.
Although more research is needed to confirm this finding, there is no denying the health benefits of a regular or fast-paced walk.
5. Lowers blood pressure
Exercise lowers blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more freely. You will notice a drop in blood pressure immediately following training.
And here’s some good news for people who work at a desk all day and claim they don’t have time to exercise. According to one study, three 10-minute walks per day were more effective than one 30-minute trek per day in preventing future blood pressure spikes.
All you have to do now is to get creative on how to squeeze in 10 minutes for a quick walk to better health.
6. Increases lung capacity
Regular moderate physical activity is also beneficial to your lung health. When you exercise regularly, your blood volume increases and your ability to extract oxygen from your lungs and blood improves.
The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute states that “regular, brisk 30-minute walks increase lung capacity. This also strengthens the lungs.”
This increased lung capacity will allow you to breathe more easily, and your lungs will be healthier for longer as a result.
7. Lowers craving for sugar
A few studies have found that cravings for sugary treats like chocolate or candy can be reduced by going for a walk instead.
While it’s comforting to know you can use a treadmill if necessary, getting outside may be especially effective at satisfying cravings. Because being in nature and open space, even if it’s just a tree-lined city block, can boost the benefits of exercise.
Furthermore, going outside can have a much greater impact on stress reduction, improved mental health, increased physical activity, and social interaction.
Other advantages of going for a brisk walk outside include increased immunity, better sleep, and a more mindful eating practice that excludes foods with high sugar content.
8. Improves mood
Walking has been shown in studies to increase the release of endorphins, which are brain chemicals that promote relaxation and improve our mood.
9. Improves varicose veins
Although varicose veins are not a life-threatening medical condition. They can be quite bothersome and can lead to more serious issues. Furthermore, because they may be highly visible, they may make people feel uneasy or embarrassed.
Walking, on the other hand, can help with this. Because it is one of the best exercises for treating and preventing varicose veins, in addition to being good for your overall health.
Walking keeps your blood moving, which keeps it from “backing up” and putting undue strain on the tiny valves inside your veins.
Walking also strengthens your calf muscles, which helps in blood circulation in your legs. Calf muscles that are in good shape help pump blood from your lower legs and feet back to your heart, reducing the strain on your vein valves.
Finally, walking can help you maintain a healthy weight, which can reduce pressure on your legs.
10. Boosts immunity
Walking for 30 minutes every day promotes immune system health by increasing blood flow, reducing stress and inflammation, and strengthening antibodies.
Even if you’re short on time, try to squeeze in at least three 10-minute sessions to increase the number of immune cells in your leukocytes, which will help you fight infections.
11. Improves digestion
Walking, according to new research, aids in the movement of food from the stomach into the small intestines.
Walking activates your digestive system and causes your intestines to contract, allowing food and waste to pass through. This results in more regular bowel movements, as well as less gas and bloating throughout your digestive tract. In addition to making you feel satiated.
Walking may also result in fewer cases of heartburn and other reflux symptoms because it promotes faster digestion.
12. Reduces risk of dementia
Walking, one of the best all-around exercises, not to mention free and very cost-effective, can reduce your risk of developing dementia by 17 percent when compared to those who do not exercise.
Final note
Finally, staying physically active is always in your best interests. And, with all of the advantages of physical activity, it’s never too early to begin. Regular daily walks as part of a fitness routine can greatly benefit both body and brain health.
Please share your thoughts or ideas about 12 Excellent Reasons For You To Start Walking Daily in the comments below.
