According to national statistics, the UK is a stressed-out nation. A report published by the Health and Safety Executive reveals that 12.8 million working days are lost to work-related stress, depression or anxiety.
Stress is more prevalent in our society today more than any other time in recorded history – other than wartime.
The World Health Organisation has called stress “the health epidemic of the 21st-Century.”
Work-related stress and family pressures are the two leading causes, but a lack of exercise is also a contributing factor.
The UK is ranked the sixth unhealthiest nation in the world, and the Heart Foundation estimates that 78% of the population is likely to become a victim of cardiovascular disease (CVD) early than the average life expectancy.
How Walking Helps To Reduce Stress
It’s well known that exercise is a preventative measure for staving off poor health.
Health experts show that walking for 30-minutes a day increases cardiovascular and pulmonary fitness, reduces the risk of heart disease and improves the management of other health conditions including hypertension.
The clinical Psychologist at mindshift.org in Australia, Dr Lars Madsen says:
“The mental health benefits of going for a good walk are wide-ranging. These benefits, combined with walking in a group, are an effective tool for promoting emotional wellbeing as it encourages interaction, social engagement as well as physical activity. Walking is an inexpensive, low risk and accessible form of exercise, and combined with nature and a group setting, it is a very powerful, under-utilised stress buster.”
Walking at a brisk pace increases your heart rate, metabolism and spirits. Exercise stimulates the production of endorphins – chemical enhancers in the brain that lift your mood.
The influx of endorphins replaces stress hormones such as cortisol which is linked with depression. As a result of walking, you feel relaxed, calm and mentally stimulated.
Clinical trials have shown that light exercise such as walking can be used to treat anxiety disorders and depression.
If you want to live for longer, exercise is essential and a good place to start is walking. Why not download the Swetcoin app and earn monetary rewards for your steps.
