One of the most powerful ways to lose weight, stay healthy, and live longer is so shockingly simple, even a toddler can do it. All you have to do is put one foot in front of the other. “Walking is so simple that everyone can do it,” says Austin. “Plus it has tremendous benefits, from supporting a healthy immune system to boosting your metabolism to strengthening your joints, muscles, and bones—not to mention it’s amazing for stress relief and enjoying a little ‘me time.’ Daily walking increases metabolism by burning extra calories and by preventing muscle loss, which is particularly important as we get older,” says Iasevoli. The best part? You don’t have to slog it out on a treadmill at the gym to see these benefits.
Physical activity doesn’t need to be complicated. Something as simple as a daily brisk walk can help you live a healthier life.
For example, regular brisk walking can help you:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Prevent or manage various conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes
- Strengthen your bones and muscles
- Improve your mood
- Improve your balance and coordination
Walking improves fitness, cardiac health, alleviates depression and fatigue, improves mood, creates less stress on joints and reduces pain, can prevent weight gain, reduce risk for cancer and chronic disease, improve endurance, circulation, and posture, and the list goes on…
Health benefits of walking
1. Fight weight gain
If you are finding trouble managing your weight in the current scenario, then half an hour of walking can help in fighting weight gain, according to WebMD. Brisk walking can help burn calories and aid weight loss.
2. Boost heart health
Cardio exercise like walking can reduce cardiac risk factors like cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, stress, inflammation and mental stress.
3. Strengthen muscles and bones
Walking is a weight bearing exercise which builds muscles and maintains strong bones. It improves bone and muscle strength, coordination and balance. This in turn helps in preventing falls and fractures and improves overall health and mobility.
4. Improves mood
This is one of the most effective benefits of regular walking. Whenever you feel low, overburdened with responsibilities, stressed or anxious, give yourself some time, leave everything that you are involved and go for a nice and refreshing walk. You can walk in your own house’s balcony, in the society or the part outside your house. It will help you feel less low and may even make you feel light at heart.
5. Reduces risk of diabetes
Walking help in regulating blood sugar levels and thus reduce your risk of developing diabetes. Exercising helps muscles absorb blood sugar and prevent it from building in bloodstream.