Walking, the unprecedented, most relaxed form of activity, requiring no special equipment, can be done anytime, anywhere, yielding you the head-to-toe benefits. "Sitting disease" is another gift of modern civilization. The only cure is to stand up and move around. How can walking make you healthy and active? Answering the question is difficult because of the unfathomable benefits it offers to your body. Here is a mention of a few of these.
1. Step Up to Boost Up your Brain
In 2017, the Journal of Experimental Biology published research saying that every step you take sends waves through the blood vessels that increase blood supply to the brain. So the more step you take, the more blood you deliver to your brain. They further added that walking enhances your cognitive performance and mental wellness. Walking clears your head and helps in the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairments. Stuck on an assignment, leave it, take a few strides and let ideas hit you. Researches support the concept that walking improves your creativity and problem-solving abilities.
2. Heal your Heart
The more, the merrier. Here in the context of walking, the more you walk, the healthier your heart is. The researchers of the American College of Cardiology observed the walking routine of post-menopausal women. They concluded that in women who walked faster and longer, there is a lower risk of cardiac arrest.
The ideal recommendation of walking is about 40 minutes thrice a week. If you walk less than what is desirable, even then, you can reap the benefits. So less walking is far better than no walking. Walking offers huge benefits than running too in terms of coronary heart disease. It delays the onset of blood pressure, cholesterol, lung and kidney disease, cancer, and diabetes. Also, it adds years to your life expectancy.
3. Happy Walk for a Happy Mood
Walking is a natural antidepressant. It lifts your mood if you are struggling with depression, stress, or anxiety. If toxic thoughts haunt you day and night, driving you crazy, a stroll in nature makes you feel less frustrated, mindful, and meditative. It ceases the brain activity that results in mental illnesses.
4. Walking makes you Active
Indulging your body in a walking routine makes you energetic and active and adds vigor to your body. In a study, one group of patients was advised to start a walking program, whereas the other was not. After a few weeks, it was observed that the first group showed a marked increase in the duration of their walking and workouts as compared to the other group. Start a walking routine, and your legs would crave the movement on days when you skip walking.
5. Walking and Weight Loss
Walking after meals improves your digestion and metabolism. Although it keeps you active, a casual walk is not sufficient for weight loss. Shedding calories would require some extra effort. For weight management, increase your step count, walk briskly while going for an extra mile.
Getting Most Out of Walking
Few tips can convert your walk into an amazing workout.
● Warming-up: Mild warm-ups like taking a few steps leisurely, stretching; prepare your heart and muscles.
● Walking companion: Why walk alone? Drag your partner to provide you a company while keeping you accountable.
● Include arms exercise: Bending arms at an angle of 90-degree, allows them to move naturally while walking.
● Stretching: Doing stretching while walking doubles the benefits.
● Alter your speed: It is impossible to walk at a uniform speed. You can shift from low speed to high and vice versa.
Conclusion
Walking is undoubtedly advantageous for everyone, regardless of age. It offers countless benefits for overall body health. Making it a part of your routine earlier in life reverses the process of aging.
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