Why Walk?

Whether you make New Year’s resolutions or not, whether you break them or not (if you do, you are not the only one) here’s something that you can do regardless of resolutions. Walking!

This low-intensity type movement that most people can do regardless of whether they set to exercise or not, and regardless of their fitness levels, has many health benefits, both physically and mentally.

Stepping outside even for half an hour a day — you can replace driving or busing to work, or part of that, with walking — is the easiest form of exercise even for the most uncommitted person, and the easiest to keep at no matter what. All you need is a pair of shoes, comfortable clothing and… the great outdoors. Even people with chronic affections such as arthritis can benefit from a walking, provided that they keep their form as correct as possible to encourage muscle strengthening.

Walking helps your immune system work more efficiently

Research has showed that a daily 30-minute walk increases the number of natural killer blood cells. In other words, you have a better chance of warding off colds and the flu. Not only that, the immune system’s cells can do a better work at protecting your body from bacteria and viruses. The immune system does not have a ‘pump’ to help with the circulation of immune cells. Your daily walk will get your muscles moving and it will also improve your breathing. Both of these action will make your immune system more efficient.

Walking decreases your stress levels

It could be a simple need to breathe some fresh air and think about your next big project, an opportunity to shake off the day’s worries or calm your nerves. If you’ve ever experienced anger you know that what that ‘boiling inside’ sensation feels like. Adrenaline makes your body want to ‘fight or flight.’ How about you take it all out? A few brisk steps will defuse the internal bomb and you’ll return to your calmer self.

Walking can help you maintain your weight or even lose a bit of weight (most likely in conjunction with a more intense exercise program.) Regular brisk walking helps regulate your blood sugar levels after a meal, which makes it a good addition to your daily routine.

Walking improves your focus

If you need to focus but tiredness and/or boredom get the best of you and ideas seem to be lost to you, put everything on hold and step out for a walk. Fresh air, a good pace and seeing the world outside your bubble of things to do may just be the solution to the ‘idea block.’

Not ready to commit? A final argument: Walking increases your chances of living a long, healthy life. Through stress reduction, regulation of blood sugar, prevention of multiple chronic diseases to name but a few of the benefits explained above, walking can help you live longer. Plus you’ll get that necessary break in the day to hear your own thoughts, smell the roses and breathe. Everyone needs that!