Are you walking enough? Simple yet highly beneficial, walking is a great way to improve your health. It is suitable for all levels in a fitness journey, and you can reap its benefits!
Walking is considered a weight-bearing exercise as you carry your own body weight. It is moderate aerobic and poses a little health risk. Thus, an excellent activity for people of many ages and different fitness levels. Even though walking is not vigorous, it can improve fitness levels significantly when performed consistently.
So, start by seeing how you can build physical activity into your life. For example, when can you take the stairs instead of the lift? If you work at home, when can you include walking intervals during your day? Where can you walk around the neighborhood? This simple activity can be incorporated into your daily routine as an energy boost.
What’s beautiful about walking is that it can be performed in all seasons. If not at the gym on a treadmill, you can walk at home and incorporate some exercises such as arm movements to burn more calories and increase the intensity.
Walking does not have to be boring. You can make walking a pleasure. Have a walking partner. With family, friends, or your dog, you can build a routine together. You can even walk alone with your favorite playlist or just to enjoy nature and your surroundings mindfully.
Why walk?
Walking regularly improves physical health and mental health by strengthening the cardiovascular system and lowering cortisol levels, thus reducing stress. In addition, aerobic exercise has also been shown to have significant positive effects on the volume of the left hippocampus. This is a brain region involved in learning and memory. Moreover, walking helps increase bone density and improves balance.
So, stay active for your mind and your body!
