Is WALKING a Miracle Cure?

The easiest and least demanding physical activity – a walk! However, these characteristics don’t make it any less effective in benefiting our physical and mental health. Did you know that even Hippocrates said, “Walking is man’s best medicine”? The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends taking 10,000 steps a day. This amount will help you maintain the level of activity necessary to maintain a healthy weight and health. Although the main focus during the current #SmallSteps#BigChange challenge is on eating habits,  let’s not forget that physical activity plays an equally important part. And I hope you remember that we are about to start another training challenge…! 🙂

 

What are the benefits of walking?

First of all, it helps to reduce and eliminate stress. It is a great idea to relax and oxygenate your brain, especially after a long day’s work and lots of duties. Thanks to this, you can also count on the improvement of sleep quality. You may think you don’t have the time to walk during the day. How about walking to work or shop on foot? This would already be a good way to increase the number of steps during the day.

The advantages of regular walking include the improvement of your fitness, metabolism and, consequently, the burning of calories! This is due to the fact that walking speeds up intestinal transit and prevents constipation.

Secondly, it is worth focusing on the positive pro-health effects of walking. Regular walks lower blood pressure and prevent cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. This was confirmed by a study conducted by the Asian Journal of Sports Medicine, in which 355 participants took 10,000 steps a day. Thanks to the walks, the participants improved both their systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels. In addition, the results of the study indicate that healthy people who participated in the experiment improved several risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

I must also mention the increasingly popular Nordic walking. Although it is more demanding than a regular walk, it brings many benefits, such as improving motor coordination, increasing respiratory and physical efficiency, or burning unnecessary calories.

 

How to prepare for a walk?

It may be a good idea to use a pedometer as it will allow you to control the distances you travel and motivate you to break new records. You can encourage your friends and motivate each other to spend time in an active way. This way you can finally catch up on the latest news and have long conversations with your loved ones – even if you only do it on the phone. A walk may also be a great way to get to know your area and discover new places.

If you are still not convinced, let me suggest one more way to make it more attractive: it’s the perfect time to catch up on audiobooks or podcasts! I am sure that everyone can find something enjoyable here.

Make sure you wear appropriate and comfortable footwear so as to avoid potential injuries.

 

Is walking really a miracle cure?

I do think it is! I would even risk saying that it is a very underrated form of activity, and it is perfect for everyone: regardless of age, physical fitness and where you are at the moment. It costs nothing, so there’s no room for excuses.

A walk with your loved ones or on your own will allow you to relax, unwind and look at things from a broader perspective! You may actually see that it is during a walk, in beautiful natural surroundings, that you are able to find inspiration and solutions to various worries ? You must give it a try!

 

Bibliography:

Soroush A. Ananian C, Ainsworth B, Belyea M, Poortvliet E, Swan P, Walker J, Yngve A Effects of a 6-Month Walking Study on Blood Pressure and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in U.S. and Swedish Adults: ASUKI Step Study 2013