There are a lot of good reasons to go for a walk. It’s fun, it’s relaxing and most importantly it’s good for your health. But what exactly are the health benefits of walking? Here are five powerful and convincing reasons walking boosts your wellness routine.
Walking Gets You Outside In The Fresh Air and Sunshine
One reason walking will boost your feeling of wellness is that no matter how fast or slow you walk, walking gets you outside and in the fresh air. This alone will make you feel better as your body absorbs the oxygen and sunshine. Both are important for your health and well-being.
You will find the air quality outside, particularly if you go for a walk on the beach or in a park, will be much better than the air inside your house. Of course, the sunshine outside will help your body produce the Vitamin D that it needs to regulate cell function and build and maintain healthy bones.
Walking Can Help You Get To And Maintain A Healthy Weight
Walking particularly at a quick pace and doing it regularly can help you get to and then maintain a healthy weight. Yes, you still need to watch what you eat and aim for a healthy diet, but walking can be another tool to help you drop those extra pounds.
The nice thing about walking when you’re overweight is that you burn a lot of calories, even on short and slow walks, simply because you’re carrying so much weight around with you. As you start to lose weight, your overall strength and endurance increase, allowing you to walk longer, further, and faster. Bonus, you need no special equipment to get started.
Walking Improves Your Sense Of Balance And Coordination
As you walk, particularly when walking over rougher terrain, you’re also working on your sense of balance and coordination. Just getting in the habit of going for a daily walk will help. But you can work even more on your sense of balance by moving your head around. Turn your head to the right and left as you walk for a count of 30. Then move your head up and down for a count of 30. If you do these simple exercises once or twice as you walk each day you’ll get even more benefits.
Walking Strengthens Your Bones and Muscles
Even though walking is a low-impact form of exercise it helps to strengthen and tone your body. If you’re just starting out, it’s all you need to start to get into better shape. As you get more fit, consider adding weight-lifting exercises in addition to your daily walks to continue to get stronger and help develop strong muscles and bones.
Walking Will Boost Your Mood and Fight Depression
Last but not least, the most important reason walking boosts your overall wellness, the exercise of walking releases endorphins that will help lift your mood and can even reduce depression. Give it a try. The next time you’re feeling tired or are in a bad mood, lace up your sneakers and go for a brisk walk. It works like a charm!
Additional Research
Stanford University researchers conducted a study in 2014 on the link between walking and creative thinking. The study showed a 60% increase in creative thinking while walking vs. sitting. Although walking increased creativity, it did not increase focus.
More Wellness Tips
To read about 8 comfort foods you love that cause insomnia click here. If you travel often or are short on time, get this Quick Wellness E-book with Habit Tracker for tips on fitness and easy travel-friendly exercises.
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