Embark on a journey to better health with a simple step: walking. Discover seven compelling reasons to lace up your shoes and hit the pavement, from shedding unwanted pounds to strengthening bones and boosting heart health. With each stride, you'll not only improve your physical well-being but also uplift your mood and mental clarity.
With hundreds of workout routines available to us, we don’t always know which ones will work out. But what if we told you there’s an easy, beginner-friendly, and stress-free way to start getting active, without spending a single cent?
Put on some comfortable shoes, because we’re about to give you seven wonderful reasons to get out that door and start walking!
Walking, especially when combined with balanced meals, helps activate your muscles in a rhythmic and repetitive manner, contributing to weight loss.
Regular exercise doesn’t just strengthen muscles, it also keeps your bones in tip-top shape! With stronger bones, you can reduce the risk of bone-related injuries such as fractures. For the older folks, it’s also great to help curb any risks of osteoporosis.
While walking can’t cure a broken heart, it can help reduce the risk of heart disease. Getting more steps in each day has shown significant health benefits, such as increased blood flow and heart rates. Talk about your heart jiving to the right beat!
Speaking of the heart, did you know that daily walks can also help prevent the accumulation of fat along the linings of your heart? That’s right, every step forward can take you two steps back… away from potential blockages caused by cholesterol!
Walking reduces the risk of high blood pressure, because the more you walk, the easier it is for your heart to pump blood throughout your body. Less pressure for your heart equals less pressure for your health!
However, if you’re hypertensive, it’s best to consult your doctor on the pace and intensity of your walks.
Getting those sweet steps in place doesn’t just keep the weight off, it can also help keep your blood sugar at a manageable level, which is especially great for diabetics!
Walking can help take you in the right direction towards improved mental health. Each step releases endorphins (the “happy hormone” as they call it), giving you a reason to smile every time you take a stroll. Clear your mind and try walking amid nature—parks, tree-lined streets, or even the beach!
Thinking walking might get boring? Here are some extra steps you can take to make every walk more enjoyable for you!
And, that’s it! With just 30 minutes of daily walking, you’ll start to see the benefits in no time. Now that you have all this information on hand, you can see how easy it is to incorporate this activity into your schedule. Not only is it simple, it’s also 100% free!
So, put your best walking shoes on and don your favorite workout clothes, because now you have everything you need to know to literally walk the walk.
More references:
What advantages do Walking and Running provide for your health? National Nutrition Council, 2022.
Why walking is a good way to stay active and healthy. National Nutrition Council, 2022.
