The life changing power of walking!
Are you struggling to look after your health due to lack of time or work pressure!
You don’t have to buy a gym membership to stay healthy as you already have walking shoes, so all you have to do is start walking!
Modern life leaves most of us feeling stressed and exhausted.
We know about the benefits of exercise from TV or from the internet, but we’re too busy to actually take the time for a walk.
If you are looking to improve your lifestyle and health by walking! then this article is just for you…
What is walking?
Walking is a form of physical activity that can be done anywhere, anytime.
Walking is a great way to get in shape while also taking care of your mental health.
It is a low-impact exercise that can be done without any special equipment and it can be as short as 10 minutes.
Walking has many benefits: it helps with weight loss, reduces the risk of heart disease and diabetes, and improves mood and sleep quality.
The disadvantages of sitting idle or less physical activity include- increased risk for obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and early death.
People who sit for more than six hours per day are at an increased risk of premature death by 50 percent.
So what is the life changing power of walking? Does it really help to improve your health?
Related: Walking plan to lose weight naturally!
Walking as a way to strengthen your body and mind
In the past, people thought that walking was just for recreational purposes.
But recent studies have shown that it can also be used as a form of therapy.
Studies have shown that walking can help with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
Walking has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, increase energy levels and improve concentration.
If you want to walk more for mental health, you can try walking with a friend or loved one. This will help you to stay motivated and improve your mood.
Related: Which is better for toning legs running or walking?
How walking can improve your mental health
We often neglect the benefits of physical activity for our mental health.
A new study has found that walking can improve your mental health and even reduce depression and anxiety.
The study found that people who walked at least 2-3 hours a week were less likely to develop depression or anxiety than those who didn’t walk at all.
What’s more, those who walked more than 4 hours per week were less likely to develop these conditions than those who walked 2-3 hours per week.
It can help you sleep better and reduce stress, also helps you to think more clearly and feel less depressed.
Walking can even make you feel happier!
Not only your physical health but your mental well-being is equally important to live a healthy life!
If you start walking daily, you will see changes in your body and it will make you more relaxed and energetic.
Related: Is it possible to reduce thigh size by walking?
Walking as a way to suppress inflammation and promote longevity
It is not new to hear that physical activity is good for our health, but a physical activity like walking does have a positive effect on your overall health!
Walking is one of the most inexpensive and accessible forms of exercise.
It has been shown to have a positive impact on longevity and reduce inflammation.
This means that it can be a preventative measure against chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
The health benefits of walking are not limited to just reducing inflammation.
Regular walking also helps with weight loss, bone density, mental health, heart disease, blood sugar levels, and more.
In addition, walking can also promote longevity by reducing the risk of death from any cause by up to 30%.
Related: Can you build muscles by walking uphill?
The benefits and importance of walking in modern times
More and more technological advancement has made people dependent on it!
And this has affected not only mental health but your physical health has also deteriorated.
When you see that someone is buying a Tesla or any other motor car, we all get excited!
But, do we get excited about taking care of our health? Or take some time off from your hectic work schedule and go for a 20-30 minute walk alone!
When it comes to our mental health – there are studies that show that taking a walk can be just as effective as therapy.
Some random respondents in an American Psychological Association survey said that their mood significantly improved after exercising outdoors!
Outdoor workouts also make you more productive, jogging 30 minutes a day also helps to improve your sleep, stress levels, and immunity.
As much as giving us mental health benefits, walking also protects our waistline and other risk factors for health problems – like high cholesterol, heart disease, etc.
Related: Is it possible to strengthen leg muscles by walking?
Walking can even delay the onset of varicose veins
If your work or profession requires you to stand or sit for long hours then it can lead to varicose veins!
As standing or sitting for long periods is not healthy for your veins.
This is not a surprise as we know we need to walk to stay healthy and this is also another added benefit of walking.
Because, as we know, varicose veins often just appear out of nowhere.
It happens because sitting for hours on end can put pressure on our “minor” veins that run through our hips and thighs, which cause the valves inside them to enlarge–leading to pools of blood collecting in your tissue.
That’s why health experts suggest always doing leg stretching or try twisting your leg, waist muscles, or walk for a few minutes and then continuing your work.
This will help to delay the onset of varicose veins.
According to a report published in NCBI, it was found that prolonged standing or sitting increased chances of varicose veins and resulted in the hospitalization of the patients! (1)
Related: Tone your legs by walking 5 miles a day!
The Takeaway
The life changing power of walking can create a healthy and peaceful lifestyle for you.
Exercise, even brief or mild like walking, improves mental and physical well-being.
We are on our feet for a third of our waking hours- let’s use them! walking is a great way to stay healthy and combat aging.
So, if you have found this article to be helpful then don’t forget to share it.
Cheers!
