5 Benefits of Walking: Why It’s Great To Your Health

Benefits of Walking: Walking is one of the most primal of exercises that one can do and yet the benefits of walking are one of the most underrated ones.

Now, if you’re not that much into walking then there are a few things that you should know about already.

Do you know that diabetes patients are suggested to do brisk walking in order to control their blood sugar levels? See this one exercise works as a cure for quite harmful diseases such as diabetes.

Benefits of walking 45 minutes a day

Walking is a great way to improve or maintain your overall health. Just 45 minutes every day can increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance. It can also reduce your risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and some cancers. Unlike some other forms of exercise, walking is free and doesn’t require any special equipment or training.

Physical activity does not have to be vigorous or done for long periods in order to improve your health. A 2007 study of inactive women found that even a low level of exercise – around 75 minutes per week – improved their fitness levels significantly when compared to a non-exercising group.

Walking is low impact, requires minimal equipment, can be done at any time of day, and can be performed at your own pace. You can get out and walk without worrying about the risks associated with some more vigorous forms of exercise. Walking is also a great form of physical activity for people who are overweight, elderly, or who haven’t exercised in a long time.

Walking for fun and fitness isn’t limited to strolling by yourself around local neighborhood streets. There are various clubs, venues, and strategies you can use to make walking an enjoyable and social part of your lifestyle.

What is the best benefit of walking?

Health benefits of walking

You carry your own body weight when you walk. This is known as weight-bearing exercise. Some of the benefits include:

• increased cardiovascular and pulmonary (heart and lung) fitness
• reduced risk of heart disease and stroke
• improved management of conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, joint, and muscular pain or stiffness, and diabetes
• stronger bones and improved balance
• increased muscle strength and endurance
• reduced body fat.

So, all in all, we can definitely say that walking is such a good one in your bag of exercises but let us convince you some more, for that’s what we always do.

Following are the Benefits of Walking: Why It’s Great To Your Health

Burns Calories, Gets You Slimmer

That’s an obvious one when you walk for a good amount of time, it burns calories. About 20,000 steps a day will help you burn about 300 Kcal and that’s not a small number.

Works as an Energy Booster

Exercise gives us an energy boost and brisk walking sure follows up with that fact. After sweating up once in a day with brisk walking, you feel more rejuvenated and fresh, which in turn results in getting an energy boost.

Due to taking a brisk walk, you increase the oxygen flow in your body and also observe a release of hormones such as norepinephrine, and epinephrine, which bring pleasure and boost energy.

Strengthen The Body

Obviously! Any amount of stress that you put on your body in physical form ends up strengthening it only. Which is the same case with walking as it improves muscle definition and improves the movement of joints.

Relieves Anxiety 

Research shows that walking cures anxiety and you might have often heard stories of successful people going on long walks during tough times.

The reason being that while walking we’re stressing our body up to a certain level which is not too much along with the fact that we’re constantly

changing the environment and that works as a reliever most of the time.

Keep Blood Sugar Level in Check

As we said earlier, walking help in keeping blood sugar levels in check.

Now, if you know what it means already then let us tell you why? Well! The answer would be that walking helps in proper digestion and in turn, helps to lower the blood sugar level as well.

That’s why doctors recommend a post-eating walk for diabetic and normal people as well, Benefits of walking are numerous so the next time you feel that walking is not effective give that a second thought.

What are 5 benefits of walking

Below are the 5 benefits of walking in the morning

1. Natural boost of energy

A brisk walk to start your day can leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Studies have found that regular exercise such as walking, can have a significant role in increasing your energy levels. It helps in reducing fatigue, keeping you feeling energized throughout your day.

The next time you feel tired when you wake up, lacing up your shoes and taking a walk can provide that natural boost of energy you may be looking for.

2. Improved mental health

Improved self-esteem, better mood, reduction in stress and anxiety – a morning walk can offer excellent benefits for your mental health. Not only does it give you time out to think, reflect and clear your mind, but exercise also helps to release endorphins and serotonin, which are your body’s natural mood and self-esteem enhancers. Studies have suggested regular walking can also be a great natural way to manage and prevent depression and anxiety.

3. Deeper sleep

Being active can boost the effects of melatonin (natural sleep hormone) which can help you fall asleep easier. A morning walk is not only a great way to see the sunrise or catch up with friends, exposing yourself to the bright morning sun can assist in setting your natural circadian rhythm which improves your sleep cycle, promoting a healthy night’s sleep. The result of a good night’s sleep allows you to feel more alert and energised throughout the day.

4. Walking in the morning boosts your brain health

Walking has a number of excellent physical health benefits, but did you know, fitting a walk in the morning into your daily schedule can boost your brain function. Researchers have found walking increases the supply of blood to the brain which is linked to improved cognitive function, memory, concentration, and problem-solving.

Moderate exercise such as walking has also been found to improve the brain’s resistance to Alzheimer’s disease and reduce the effects of memory loss over time.

5. It improves your heart health

Lower blood pressure, improved blood circulation, and a reduced risk of heart disease – a walk to start your day can be a great way to keep your heart healthy and prevent high blood pressure. The Heart Foundation found walking for an average of 30 minutes a day can lower your risk of heart disease by 35%.

Researchers found people who incorporate regular walking into their daily routine, have fewer heart attacks and strokes while also maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.