Staying physically active throughout different stages of your life is extremely important. Whilst exercise is often associated with gyms and intense workouts (which couldn’t be further from the truth), walking in parks has emerged as an easy fitness routine that can have a positive impact on your life.
According to a study published by Harvard Medicine School, people who walk at an average pace for more than four hours a week have better heart function than people who don’t walk very often.
If you live in the city, you may have found that walking through the streets and alongside bust roads is not so pleasant. The traffic pollution, noise, smog, and asphalt doesn’t exactly motivate you to go for a walk.
City parks, on the other hand, give you a nudge towards a healthier lifestyle. As a matter of fact, the reason city parks were created in the first place was to encourage people to exercise.
A recent study conducted by Stanford University confirmed what healthcare and fitness professionals have been preaching for decades – a short walk in the park is better than no walk at all.
Why Walking in Parks may be Beneficial for your Health
Not everyone is thrilled by the idea of lifting weights or doing cardio on a treadmill in a sweaty gym. Walking in the park enables you to breathe fresh air and is just as great for your mind and body as any other type of sports activity.
The fact that your local park is close to your home or work makes it convenient to get the exercise you need and enjoy a patch of nature in the concrete jungle.
Walking shouldn’t be considered optional. It’s shown to be the first step towards a healthy and active lifestyle. It’s a light form of exercise that requires very little preparation or equipment. A comfortable pair of walking shoes will suffice.
What’s even more worrying is the pace obesity is taking over humanity. Obesity is such a problem in the UK that the government has launched a program to tackle a bloating problem that is responsible for 876.000 hospital admissions a year.
To tackle this issue, many cities around the world include more green areas in their city planning. Parks in London, for example, is a paradise for pedestrians and cyclists. People living in cities are encouraged to walk or cycle to work.
Walking in your local park whenever you get the opportunity to deliver numerous benefits. Here are just a few:
- Stay fit
- Support your vital organ’s health
- Improve mental health
- Increase life expectancy
- Feel more relaxed and happy
- More motivated and creative
Have you noticed that you instantly feel calmer whenever you spend time exploring the countryside or travelling to remote beaches far from urbanisation?
Nature helps us restore our energy and makes us feel connected. Grab your trainers today and go for a walk in your local park to feel the multiple health benefits walking offers. Or why not head into the hills with the kids and show them the benefits of walking in nature from an early age.
