Walking has many positive effects that give your overall health a boost. Studies show that walking relieves stress. Consistent walking, combined with a healthy diet, can help improve heart health, and also help you to achieve weight loss goals.
In addition, walking is highly accessible. it’s a low-entry form of exercise and can be performed anywhere. You do not need to invest in expensive equipment and, if you join a walking club, it’s a great social activity. Of course, it’s also possible to increase the intensity and adjust the walking training to achieve certain goals. You can easily combine it with other forms of exercise to strengthen certain muscle groups.
Walking Is The New Black
According to ABC News, walking is the “new black“. It became the latest exercise trend because it’s an activity that suits almost everyone. The AusPlay survey, The Australian sport, and the physical activity participation survey, confirm the popularity of walking as well.
Many people due to age, weight, injury or illness cannot engage in more demanding physical activities, such as running. Walking is a great alternative for them that helps them stay active, spend time with family and friends and make new acquaintances.
Parkrun, a five-kilometer event for runners in Australia and the world, estimates between 10 and 15 per cent of participants are walkers. “It was easy to come back out of COVID and slowly get used to being around people by walking parkrun,” said one of the participants.
For most of them, the feeling of being alive, being active, and among other people is more than encouraging. The endorphins, happiness, and release of accumulated energy- transcend only physical benefits and provide and promote mental and social ones.
Not surprisingly, according to statistics, more than two-thirds of people go for a walk at least three times a week. It is easy, cheap and does not require any special equipment, except comfortable shoes and clothes.
Anytime And Anywhere
Walking is one of the most basic physical activities and one of the most universal and can be done almost anytime and anywhere. You can easily walk at any time of the day (also during the night), in any place where you have enough space, and on any surface.
Also, you can walk at any time of the year and at almost any time. If you are not a fan of regular walks, you should definitely become one as soon as possible. Just try it and you will see why so many people decided to do it.
It Saves Lives
As a very healthy and undemanding physical activity, it is obvious that walking saves lives in many different ways. But one of the most amazing effects of walking is the effect it has on diabetes. Blood sugar levels fluctuate up and down in every average body during the day. But in the bodies of people suffering from diabetes, these changes become more unpredictable, aggressive and far more dangerous. But fortunately, there is always the possibility to go for a walk.
A short walk immediately after a meal is very effective in regulating blood sugar levels, also in those suffering from diabetes. These short walks are even more efficient than going on a long walk, so it is best to go for a short walk whenever you get the chance during the day.
Walking also lowers blood pressure and is, therefore, a great instrument in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Since cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading causes of premature death in the world, walking is one of the best things you can do to improve your health.
It also encourages the proper distribution of calcium in the bones and helps build bone mass, which reduces the likelihood of osteoporosis, which is largely present in women.
Walking is effective primarily in preventing the development of colon cancer, and then it is important in patients who are older and have the disease, and it is also recommended after receiving chemotherapy in patients with colon cancer because it can significantly reduce the weakness of the whole organism.
“First thing every morning, within 10 minutes of me waking up, I’m out the door walking. Even when I’m overseas or travelling, I still walk a minimum of an hour every morning and in the afternoon, and up to another hour again in the evening,”- says Nic Bideau, legendary Australian running coach, who due to injury replaced training with walking.
Mental Benefits
Increased blood flow and better connection of neurons are the main reasons why walking improves memory. Walking is especially important for two groups of people in that sense – children, whose ability to remember is still developing, and the elderly, who often suffer from a great loss in quality of life due to memory problems.
Nowadays, which is full of stress, moderate walking is important because it improves mental functions and reduces the possibility of mental instability in the elderly population.
These benefits of walking reduce the risk of developing both vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, walking prevents the clogging of blood vessels, especially the neck, and thus the development of these diseases.
The Magic Of Nature
During the walk, you will discover flowers, trees, birds chirping, and all shades of leaves – everything you can’t see or feel on your phone, computer, or TV screen. All these small details will significantly raise the level of happiness that will spread through your body and mind.
And the happier you are, the less stress you will have and the less nervous you will be. During your stay in nature, you will get closer to people who also enjoy walking and nature. Even if you are silent or talk about the nature in which you are. You will not talk about work, problems, or money.
Simply, nature makes you think of something else. It is also a great opportunity to take a break from the screens, buttons, and social networks that mostly occupy our attention during most of the day.
