All health experts and doctors agree that walking is an activity that is safe for everyone and is highly effective at keeping diseases at bay, maintaining your weight, and controlling any pain that comes about because of chronic disease. Walking is free and can be done at any time and any place. So why don’t you download a good walking and betting app and start today! Below we are going to take a closer look at why walking really is the best exercise out there.
Walking is Linked to Lower Levels of Obesity
According to a study that was carried out back in 2009, people who walk to and from work each day are a lot less likely to become obese. So, how much should a person walk each day? Well, another study carried out in 2015 found that just 20 minutes of walking every day can decrease a person’s risk of premature death by around 30%, and the Mayo Clinic declares that walking 30 minutes will burn off around 150 calories, which can help you to eventually lose weight.
Lowers Your Risk of Diabetes
Walking is an activity that helps to regulate your blood sugar levels, which is something that will keep your levels and insulin low and keep diabetes away. In fact, a study showed that walking for just a period of 15 minutes after eating a meal is something that helps regulate blood sugar levels as much as one 45-minute walk each day. So, if you are daunted by a long walk session, you should think about splitting it up into three smaller ones.
Walking is Great for Your Heart
Everyone believes that running is better than walking, but this is not always the case, especially when it comes to heart health. A study carried out in 2013 found that people who walked the same distance as others who ran enjoyed similar decreases in high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Okay, it took twice the time for walkers to cover the same distance, but if you are not in a hurry, there really is no need to rush your exercise. If you are rushing your exercise, then you will not enjoy it at all.
Walking is an Activity Anyone Can Do
Arthritic? Pregnant? Obese? Walking is an activity that is gentle enough for people have the aforementioned conditions and can even help to ease the pain of any chronic conditions. If you find walking a struggle, starting off with just a few minutes a day is a lot better than not walking at all.
It Helps Decrease Depression and Anxiety
Moving your body is an activity that is known to release a lot of endorphins - feel good hormones that dull your pain receptors in your brain and provide feelings of euphoria and happiness. So, if you are suffering from moderate bouts of depression, we recommend that you go for a short walk each day. A study carried out in 2005 found that walking for 35 minutes five times each week can have a very big influence on a person’s level of depression.
Walking is Free
You do not have to buy a gym membership or particular clothing in order to go for a walk. All you have to do is go to your cupboard, put on some comfortable clothes and some shoes, and then head on out your front door and walk wherever you feel like. If you want to keep a track of how many steps you are walking and how many calories you are burning, then we recommend that you buy yourself a FitBit. You can find these are Amazon for very reasonable prices.
You Will Sleep Better at Night
There is a good reason why travel advisors advise people to walk about a new location on the first day - exposing yourself to sunlight and staying outside until it is dark helps to recalibrate your levels of melatonin to the new time zone and surrounding. As your levels of melantonin rises, so does your sleepiness.