Walking back to happiness!

Walking – what’s not to like? It’s easy to do, even a toddler can do it and it’s easy on the joints and as an added bonus – it’s free!

The health benefits of walking are endless and people of all ages and fitness levels can do it. It may also help prevent certain diseases and even prolong your life – now who doesn’t want that?

You can truly improve your physical and mental health by adding walking into your daily routine, and all you need to start walking is a good pair of walking shoes!

If you walk for just 30 minutes every day here’s what to expect:-

• Walking helps with joint pain and arthritis

Pounding the pavement can help improve your range of motion and mobility because walking increases blood flow and helps lubricate and strengthen the muscles that support the joints. The majority of joint cartilage has no direct blood supply so it gets its nutrients from joint fluid that circulates as we move. As we walk compression squeezes the cartilage, bringing oxygen and nutrients to the area.

• Walking improves circulation

Being active can help ward off heart disease, it brings up the heart rate, lowers blood pressure and strengthens the heart. This will help lower the risk of heart problems in the future.

• Reduces stress and lightens your mood

Activity releases natural painkilling endorphins into the body leaving you feeling better than ever and helping to improve your mood. It can help reduce anxiety, depression and boost self-esteem. It is the perfect way to rid yourself of daily stress, which is good for mental health. Aim for 30 minutes of brisk walking at least 3 days a week to gain these benefits.

• Helps maintain a healthy weight

Regular exercise can help maintain a healthy weight, burn calories and help tone and strengthen muscles. Daily walking increases the metabolism by burning extra calories and by preventing muscle loss, which is extremely important as we age. A brisk 30 minute walk burns around 200 calories. Over time, those burnt calories can lead to pounds dropped.

• Boosts the immune system

Walking increases the number of immune cells that attack pathogens in the body, which lowers the risk of becoming seriously ill from infectious diseases.

• Walking improves sleep

Adding more activity to your daily routine can help improve the quality of your sleep. A recent study found that healthy adults who walked daily had a significant positive impact on sleep quality and length of sleep compared to those who were sedentary. Walking also helps reduce pain and stress, which can cause sleep disturbances. Be careful not to exercise too close to bedtime, as this might keep you awake!

• Encourages creativity

Walking may help clear your head and help you think creatively. If you have been searching for a solution to a tricky problem, research shows it is a clever idea to get moving! One study found that participants did better while walking, particularly whilst outdoors.

• The toning effects

Walking tones your leg and abdominal (stomach) muscles. It can even tone your arm muscles if you pump them as you walk! It increases your range of motion, shifting the pressure and weight from the joints to the muscles.

• Improves your breath

When you walk, your breathing rate increases, causing oxygen to travel faster through the bloodstream, helping to eliminate waste products and improve your energy level, therefore increasing the ability to heal.

• You could live longer

Walking at a faster pace could help extend your life! Seriously, and it doesn’t take much to get results! Adopting a brisk or fast pace reduced the risk of overall causes of death, cardiovascular disease and death from cancer by 24%. The benefit may come from the cardiorespiratory workout that walking provides.

With all these benefits, who wouldn’t want to start walking? Why not consider getting a pedometer or other fitness tracker to keep track of your daily steps.

A word of warning – choose a route and step goal that’s appropriate for your fitness level and age. Always warm up and cool down to avoid injury and last but not least, always speak to your G.P. before starting a new fitness routine.

If you would like some further information or to speak to a member of our team please call us on: Hitchin 01462 420077 or Luton 01582 579687, alternatively e-mail us at: hitchin@healesclinics.com or luton@healesclinics.com.