Walking is something that is no longer necessary for basic everyday needs. We can easily get through life with only walking a few hundred yards per day if we chose to do so. Most of us don’t think to make time for regular walking for walking’s sake, and walking is seen as the last resort to be employed only when the tire’s busted, the train isn’t running, or the bus is late. However, walking is one of simplest ways to get some exercise, and it enacts multiple beneficial changes in our bodies. To name a few:
- Walking boosts immune function. A study of over 1,000 men and women found that those who walked at least 20 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week, had 43% fewer sick days than those who exercised once a week or less. If they did get sick, their symptoms were milder, and they were sick for a shorter duration.
- Healthy adult males who engage in short bouts of brisk walking experience lower resting blood pressure and postprandial triglycerides (a type of fat (lipid) found in your blood).
- Walking for 15 minutes after meals can help lower blood sugar levels.
- Walking reduces joint pain in those with arthritis and walking 5-6 miles per week can help prevent arthritis from forming in the first place.
- Kids who walk to school are fitter than peers who do not.
- Older healthy adults who walk briskly live longer than those who don’t.
- 30 minutes of brisk walking per day may reduce anxiety and depression and boost self-esteem.
- Regular walking improves working memory in older adults.
- Walking improves longevity in women over 70 years of age.
- Walking programs improve cognitive ability in people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Sources:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/5-surprising-benefits-of-walking
https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-walking#lowers-blood-sugar
https://www.marksdailyapple.com/the-definitive-guide-to-walking