Walking is considered one of the most underrated forms of physical activity. Most people do not consider walking as a form of exercise. In reality, walking is an excellent physical activity that has numerous proven health benefits.
From strengthening your muscles, joints, and bones to boosting your metabolism, walking contributes to all. There are numerous other benefits that you could experience just by walking for 30 minutes every day. All you need to have is a pair of shoes and you’re all set to hit the pavement.
Increases cardiovascular and pulmonary fitness
Walking helps in strengthening your heart and reduces the risk for coronary heart disease. Walking for at least 30 minutes five days a week is enough to gain this benefit. You just need to be consistent.
It burns calories
Who says you can burn calories only via heavy or complex workouts? You can easily lose weight and trim that waistline just by walking. How many calories you will burn depends on your walking speed, your weight, distance covered, and terrain.
Boosts energy
Staying in and lying on most days will lower your stamina. You don’t have to stress a lot about it because walking for a few minutes can do the work and retain your energy. How? Well, walking increases oxygen flow and energy, elevating the level of hormones like norepinephrine, and epinephrine.
Strengthen muscles and joints
Walking helps in toning your legs by strengthening the muscles of the lower body. It also eases joint pain by lubricating and strengthening the muscles that support the joints, including hips and knees. Walking on an area with high terrain, instead of a flat surface, helps more in strengthening the muscles of the lower body.
Helps lower blood sugar
It’s always advised to never directly lie down after having a meal and to have a walk instead. This is because walking after eating helps lower your blood sugar and improve digestion. A post-meal walk also works as a great exercise that keeps you fit so try incorporating it into your daily routine.
Helps relieve anxiety
Researches show that a 10-minute walk may be just as good as a 45-minute workout when it comes to relieving anxiety. Being close to nature helps to calm your mind and reduce the level of stress and anxiety.
Helps in easing eye pain
Staring at your screen all day without giving your eye a bit of relaxation often leads to eye pain. Well, that fatigues the muscles that help eyes to focus, resulting in digital eye strain which further contributes to issues like, headache, blurred vision, and sore eyes.
