Are you looking for a way to keep yourself fit and healthy? Perhaps you like to go for a walk around your local park? Or maybe you want to find out what powerwalking does for your health? Walking is an excellent exercise for people of all ages, and it can be adapted to suit all fitness levels in daily life. You can choose to go for a leisurely stroll around your local area or could try hill walking.
Walking is also free and easy to do, you would not need any special equipment to do some walking exercise. It can be easily fitted into your daily routine. However, if you are into serious walking activities, some equipment like walking poles or nordic walking poles would be useful. This article will look at some of the walking health benefits.
Walking Exercise Burns Calories and Keeps You Fit
If you are looking for a gentle physical activity that will help you lose that extra weight and burn calories, a walking workout is an excellent option for you. If you have not exercised for a while, walking is a great way to start. Always remember to begin an easy walk at an easy pace for a start.
Walking has many health benefits; it is good for your heart, and if you walk for at least half an hour a day, five days a week, your likelihood of developing heart disease will decrease by about 19% and will significantly improve your cardiovascular health.
Brisk walking or walking at a brisk pace helps to increase your heart rate to a moderate level which is in fact beneficial to your cardiovascular health. To take advantage of this health benefit, do at least 30 minutes of brisk walking every day.
Health Benefits of Walking for Exercise
Walking will help to lower your blood sugar levels, especially if you go for a walk shortly after eating a meal. Going for short walks after eating is better than going for one long walk a day.
If you suffer from stiff or painful joints, walking can help. Studies showed that keeping active helps the joints as we age. Walking helps to protect the knees and hips, as it strengthens the muscles, which support the joints. If you are living with chronic conditions such as arthritis, rheumatism, or chronic fatigue, walking can help to reduce symptoms. Walking between five and six miles every week will help prevent the likelihood of arthritis occurring as you age.
Walking is also a great way to boost your immune system, and it may even prevent you from getting a cold or flu. A recent study showed people who walked for at least half an hour a day took 43% less sick days than those who did not exercise.
Boosts Your Energy
If you are tired, going for a walk, stretching your legs and getting some fresh air and exercise is better for you. It is also more effective than having a coffee. Walking allows the flow of oxygen to your body and vital organs to increase. It also helps to promote the creation of hormones that help with energy levels such as cortisol and epinephrine.
Improves Your Mood
Walking is very beneficial for those who suffer from mental health problems. It can help to relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety, and getting fit and healthy. If you have previously been overweight, it will also boost self-esteem. If you choose to join a walking or dog walking group, this is likely to help with symptoms of social withdrawal. There are also hill walking groups where you can challenge yourself, improve your mental health, and make new friends at the same time.
Inspires Creativity & Productivity
Walking is also a good exercise if you need to clear your mind and think about problems. It helps you to come up with creative solutions. Walking often opens up a flow of ideas that you may otherwise not have thought of. It is great to get active and increase creativity at the same time.
If you work in an office, taking a break and going for a walk will actually help you to become more productive. You can also have a walking meeting with your boss and colleagues instead of heading to the meeting room.
Tones Your Legs
Walking regularly will help to strengthen the muscles of your legs and will allow you to build up more strength. If you want to tone your legs, try walking somewhere hilly or walk on a treadmill using the incline setting. Walking up and down flights of stairs is also great for toning your legs.
Power walking, which is walking at a fast pace, can help to improve your fitness, tone your body, and could even help to prolong your life. You can try jogging or running and alternate this with walking when you need a break or when you are cooling down.
