The Health Benefits of Walking
Step by step to improved physical and mental health
Humans are made to move. The United States Department of Health and Human Services estimates that about $117 billion in annual health care costs and 10% of premature deaths (!) can be associated with the lack of physical activity.
However, inactivity is on the rise: according to the United Health Foundation, 25.6% of adult Americans reported engaging in no physical activity or exercise in the last 30 days.
Walking is one of the easiest ways to combat this dangerous trend. It requires no special equipment and provides you with a wide range of health benefits, including:
Improved heart health
According to a study from the UK, sedentary behavior can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease by a whopping 147% and the risk of diabetes by 112%!
As stated above, walking is not only of the easiest ways to incorporate more exercise in your life but has also been linked to improved heart health. According to a study published in the European Journal of Epidemiology, walking only 30 minutes 5 times per week can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by 19 percent.
