Walking is a simple and incredibly effective way of incorporating exercise into your day and there are many amazing health benefits as to why you should include it as part of your daily routine.
Just some of the benefits of walking include:
- Walking lowers your cortisol levels (stress hormone). Increased cortisol is widely known to make it difficult to shift weight so by lowering these levels your body will relax and more readily get rid of any excess weight
- It helps to lower blood pressure
- Improves your quality of sleep
- It can prevent or help to control Type 2 diabetes
- Strengthens bones and reduces the risk of osteoporosis
- Reduces symptoms of depression
- Helps to prevent and manage osteoarthritis
- Tones your legs, abdomen and buttocks
- When walking outdoors you absorb vitamin D from the sun. Vitamin D is vital in the absorption of many other vitamins and nutrients
- Is a fantastic way to clear your mind and enjoy the outdoors and fresh air
- A great way to socialize and catch up with friends while increasing your fitness
So, as you can see, walking regularly provides you with so much more than just a way to get fit.
When you introduce walking into your daily and weekly routine, make sure you start small. Be comfortable with the area you would like to walk around and then as your confidence grows expand both the duration and the terrain. (For example, start to include hills if you are not already and choose more challenging locations)
You may also want to start walking with a friend or family member and help to keep each other motivated and accountable.
However you start, just start. The first step is always the hardest and once you get moving you won’t look back!