Benefits of Going for a Walk
Surprising Benefits for Mind, Body, and Soul
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Hey everyone, welcome.
Staying healthy can be difficult.
With so many diets, exercises, and routines out there, it’s hard to know which ones work and which ones don’t. We get so caught up in the nuances of staying healthy that we often forget about a simple routine with amazing health benefits.
Of course, we’re talking about walking, an easy exercise many of us do every day.
If we are able, we walk through our homes, to our cars, and around the grocery store. For many people, walking is like second nature. We do it without thinking, but this common exercise is more than just a way to get around.
It also has incredible benefits for your mental and physical health, which you can take advantage of almost anytime and anywhere. Unlike most physical exercises, if you want to walk, you hardly need anything to get started except a little time and a sturdy pair of shoes.
After that, the rest is up to you. You can walk in the gym or outside in nature. You can walk at a fast pace or enjoy a leisurely stroll.
Whatever walking looks like for you, this accessible activity can help you stay healthy and happy.
With that, let’s dive into it.
Recharge Your Batteries
Walking is a natural energy booster, similar to drinking a cup of coffee.
According to a 2017 study in the journal Physiology and Behavior, walking gives you about as much energy as a small, caffeinated drink.
A brisk walk activates our bodies, improving blood flow and increasing heart rate. This makes us more motivated and alert, giving us energy for hours.
Next time you feel sluggish and tired, recharge your batteries with a walk. Even ten minutes of moderate activity can give you enough energy to get through the day.
Strengthen Your Relationships
Walking is a great activity to enjoy alone, but it’s even more beneficial with friends and family. Many people use regular walks as opportunities to catch up with loved ones and strengthen relationships.
For example, you might stroll around a scenic area with an old friend, getting some exercise while talking and sharing stories. Thanks to its bonding effects, people who walk together stay more connected, resolve conflicts more easily and cooperate more effectively.
In other words, after walking with someone, you may feel closer than ever. If you want to strengthen your relationships, schedule regular walks with the important people in your life. No matter who you invite, walks can be excellent opportunities to bond and reconnect.
Make Yourself Happy
How much we move every day has a significant impact on our mood.
If we spend too much time sitting, we may hit a slump. But when we get moving, our energy levels increase and our mood may improve. We enter a better state of mind, viewing ourselves, the world, and our lives through a more positive lens.
Why?
Because walking triggers a mood-boosting reaction inside our bodies. Every time you walk, a flood of hormones called endorphins courses through you.
Endorphins are known to reduce stress and relieve pain, but they also increase well-being and even promote long-term satisfaction.
By walking consistently, you’re not just staying healthy; you’re also bringing happiness into your life.
Lengthen Your Life
It’s no secret that aerobic activities are good for your health, but did you know that walking can also lengthen your lifespan?
According to the American Heart Association, walking is strongly correlated with lower mortality rates. In other words, people who walk more often are less likely to die.
This comes from an analysis of seventeen different studies that examined the health and habits of more than 220,000 adults.
It turns out that people who walk 7,000 steps per day are significantly less likely to die from all causes than people walking only 4,000 steps per day.
Risk factors decrease further for people walking 8,000, 9,000, or 10,000 steps daily. Other factors, like diet and lifestyle, likely influence these numbers, but the power of walking is hard to ignore.
Even if you add just a thousand steps, a little walking goes a long way.
Connect with Your Community
People who spend a lot of time indoors sometimes feel cut off from the rest of the world.
They may go days without talking to others face to face, which can exacerbate feelings of isolation. But going for a walk can remind you that you’re not alone.
Walking is a great way to connect with your community. It creates opportunities to chat with familiar faces, like neighbors or local business owners.
It also cultivates a sense of appreciation for where you live and the environment you call home. So, make a habit of exploring your community on foot.
Take a walk around your neighborhood, a local park, or a nearby shopping center. If ever you’re feeling alone or isolated, walking can restore your connection to the world around you.
Maintain Your Brain
Like any part of the body, the brain is subject to aging and disease. Over time, cognitive functions, like memory, start to slip. New nerves stop growing, and the brain’s volume slowly declines.
However, simple lifestyle changes can promote long-term brain health and increase cognitive performance. Walking, in particular, enhances the growth of new neurons and increases connectivity throughout the brain.
This is critical for maintaining important cognitive functions like memory and problem-solving. Every second, the areas of your brain are working together to process information, solve problems, and navigate the world around you.
If those areas become disconnected, common brain function steadily declines. Luckily, a regular walking routine can keep your brain sharp and healthy over time.
According to a 2010 study from the University of Illinois, walking at least three times per week increases connectivity throughout the brain. Avid walkers also performed better on cognitive tests, demonstrating stronger memory recall, greater planning skills, and better multitasking.
Nothing can guarantee that your brain or any part of your body stays healthy indefinitely.
But walking is one of the most effective ways to protect your brain now and for years to come.
Thank you for taking the time to read my article. Happy writing! 🙌
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