Walking is a great form of exercise and it’s something you can do by yourself or with your friends and family. Here are the top 5 benefits of why walking is so good for our physical and mental wellbeing.
Walking is a great way of reducing your stress levels
Research has shown that walking triggers the release of certain brain chemicals called endorphins that stimulate relaxation and improve our mood. Walking does not have to be done at a fast pace to have stress-relieving benefits. Even a stroll at a comfortable pace promotes relaxation, studies indicate.
Getting outside will boost your vitamin D levels
It’s particularly important to take time to walk outdoors during the winter months when we tend to commute to work in the dark and go home in the dark. This is due to the significant reduction in exposure to natural daylight can upset our body clock to such a degree that the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) such as lethargy, low mood and anxiety, can creep in. The lack of vitamin D, which our bodies produce in response to sunlight, can make you even more sluggish. A quick and easy way to help with this is to fit some walking into your day. If you are office based then walking the last part of your journey to work will give you some exposure to the day’s limited natural light. If walking your commute isn’t possible, then try a lunchtime walk or a walking meeting; it will stimulate endorphins which will reduce feelings of stress and significantly boost your happiness and productivity levels. It’s no wonder that active people are 30 per cent less likely to feel distressed.Not getting enough vitamin D in the winter months can result in bone pain and tenderness. This, along with muscle weakness, is most often associated with vitamin D deficiency but experts have suggested that low levels of vitamin D can also raise your risk of high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer. A walk in the winter sun could boost your vitamin D levels and reduce the risk of these chronic conditions, plus enhance bone density and keeps your joints mobile.
Walking usually incorporates different terrains
Therefore, your body will gain physical strength through the adaption of a constantly changing environment. The landscape you walk on will challenge your ability to stabilise, and improve your proprioception (stimulus to muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons through the central nervous system) thus giving us injury prevention benefits.
One of the great benefits of walking as a form of physical activity is that it can be adapted to all ages and levels of ability.
It is one of the most inclusive forms of exercising and what’s better is that it’s completely free! Increasing physical activity levels is the key to all exercise programs, particularly if weight loss is the goal. Walking can be incorporated into your life very easily, taking the dogs for a walk, taking a stroll during your lunch break or taking the children to the park on the weekends.
Walking keeps the heart healthy and strong.
Walking for an average of 30 minutes or more a day can lower the risk of heart disease, and stroke by 35% per cent and Type 2 diabetes by 40%. Your heart is a very strong muscle and in order to keep our muscles strong, they need to be put to work. When your heart is pumping, it will pump blood to your muscles and oxygen will also be pumped to your muscles. This result will help keep your heart strong and healthy so be sure to stay active!
