Not everyone likes to stand up from their beds in the morning, let alone go for a brisk walk. But after reading this article, I think you will begin to give daily walk a trial and eventually turn it into a daily must do activity. Daily walking has more health benefits than you know and can also equal to any other exercise, as it keeps you fit and healthy. Below are some of the health benefits of walking daily.
Daily Walking Can Improve Your Heart Health
Walking daily has been proven to decrease the chances of a person developing heart disease.
A study of 229 postmenopausal women had one group walk one mile a day and the other group to do what they normally do every day. After 10 years, the study showed that the group that walked on a regular basis had 82 percent lower risk of heart disease.
Some people use the electronic devices that count their steps each day. If you do this, and you take 10,000 steps per day, you will have a positive effect on your heart as well.
When possible, take the stairs rather than an elevator. Walking is a good activity for a healthy heart.
You’ll Feel Less ‘Backed Up’
Regular walks can help the digestive process and reduce the symptoms of constipation! Not the most glamorous of benefits, but something worth noting! If you suffer from constipation, you are probably all too familiar with that heavy, “backed up” feeling that leaves you feeling bloated and sluggish. If this is the case, get ready to start thanking your morning walk for putting you back on the straight and narrow! A regular walking routine greatly improves gastric mobility and gets your digestive system moving along nicely.
Reduce Arthritis Pain
If you walk for 30 to 60 minutes every day, you will get the best arthritis pain relief naturally. Walking helps reduce inflammation and stiffness in your joints.
When you start, go at a slower pace and gradually build up to walking faster and longer. You will feel great.
Reduce Excess Weigh
One of the most obvious benefits of daily walking is that you will be able to gradually reduce excess weight that you have been carrying around.
If you walk at a good clip, and for at least 30 to 45 minutes each day, you will begin to notice that your clothes are a bit looser. Keep it up and you may need a new wardrobe.
Manage High Blood Pressure
It has been reported that walking daily can lower blood pressure naturally. Many people claim they don’t have time to do a 30 or 45 minute walk each day.
Good news! New studies show that several 10 minute brisk walks can be as helpful as one longer walk.
Walk in the morning for 10 minutes. Take a 10-minutes stroll at lunchtime and then again after work.
Strengthen Your Bones
Osteoblasts are the cells in your bones that build new bone. They respond well to added stress. That means if you have not been walking and you start, your bones will get stronger because you are adding stress.
Walking is the best way to do this. If you are already walking, you need to add something to your walk. Maybe a few more minutes would do the trick.
Improves Your Mood
Yep, that’s right, aside from providing a literal breath of fresh air a quick walk can help you feel happier! It may take a strong coffee in the morning to get you in the right mindset for the day, however, walking provides a zero-calorie way to boost your mood. Research suggests that regular walking modifies your nervous system so that you’ll experience a decrease in anger and anxiety. What’s more, when you make your walks social and go with a friend or family member. The interaction makes you feel connected to another person, which boosts your mood even further (we recommend leaving your phone at home!). Finally, walking outdoors exposes you to natural sunlight, which staves off Seasonal Affective Disorder, a form of depression affecting people during winter time!
Increase Your Life Span
Studies show that walking daily will extend your life as well as make you feel better. There are so many benefits to walking that it can’t help but extend your life and improve it as well. You will be able to move more freely for a lot longer.
Good For Your Brain
Exercise helps the brain protect memory and the ability to think clearly. A study done at the University of British Columbia, found that regular aerobic exercise boosts the size of the hippocampus.
This is the part of the brain involved in verbal memory and learning. Brisk walking for 45 minutes is considered aerobic exercise.
It has the same benefits as working out with gym equipment. This is a great way to keep dementia at bay.
The parts of the brain that control thinking and memory are larger in people who exercise versus those who don’t.
If you have not been exercising at all, starting a regular walking program can help increase your brain size, so it’s never too late to start.
Reduce Your Risk Of Cancer
Research shows that physical activity is linked to a reduced risk of cancer. Reports show that active people have a 24 percent lower chance of getting colon cancer.
Active women are less likely to get breast cancer. There are reports showing that other cancers are reduced with moderate physical activity as well. Esophageal cancer, liver cancer and others are reported to be reduced by exercise. Exercise lowers that level of some hormones like estrogen, insulin and certain growth factors that increase cancer risk.
It helps food digest faster, lowering stomach and GI tract cancers. It has been said that where there is oxygen, cancer cannot grow. Walking will greatly increase the amount of oxygen flowing through your body.
So far these are some of the health benefits of walking daily, there are many more benefits. But to get you started, with the above stated benefits, you can jump right into walking daily. For starters, you can start from at least 10 minutes a day and gradually build it up to max an hour daily.
So far these are some of the health benefits of walking daily, there are many more benefits. But to get you started, with the above stated benefits, you can jump right into walking daily. For starters, you can start from at least 10 minutes a day and gradually build it up to max an hour daily.