Top 6 Health Benefits Of Walking

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It’s April and here at the Jersey shore it will soon be nice enough to shed some wibnter coats and get outside. You know what goes great with nice spring weather? Walking! I would like to do some walking this year and am hoping to find someone to walk with me. While I’m not into and can’t easily do “power walking” , there are still benefits to walks taken at other paces. Walking can be fun and relaxing. And it’s good for your wellness. Here are six of the health benefits of walking.

Walking Gets You Outside In The Fresh Air and Sunshine

No matter how fast or slow you walk, walking gets you outside and in the fresh air. Air quality outside is far better than the air inside your house. And, the sunshine outside will help your body get some of the Vitamin D that it needs. It feels good when your body absorbs the oxygen and sunshine, both of which are important for your health and well-being.

Walking Can Help You Get To And Maintain A Healthy Weight

Walking regularly can help you get to and then maintain a healthy weight. Yes, you still need to watch what you eat and aim for a healthy diet, but walking can be another tool to help you drop those extra pounds. The nice thing about walking when you’re overweight is that you burn a lot of calories, even on short and slow walks, simply because you’re carrying so much weight around with you. As you start to lose the weight, your overall strength and endurance increases, allowing you to walk longer, further, and faster.

Walking Improves Your Sense Of Balance And Coordination

As you walk, particularly when walking over rougher terrain, you’re also working on your sense of balance and coordination. Just getting in the habit of going for a daily walk will help. But you can work even more on your sense of balance by moving your head around. Turn your head to the right and left as you walk for a count of 30. Then move your head up and down for a count of 30. If you do these simple exercises once or twice as you walk each day you’ll get even more benefit.

Walking Strengthens Your Bones and Muscles

Walking is a great way to help strengthen and tone your body. If you’re just starting out, it is all you need to start to get into better shape. As you get more fit, consider adding weight lifting exercises in addition to your daily walks to continue to get stronger and help develop strong muscles and bones.

Walking Is Good For Your Heart Health

According to an article from the American Heart Association, walking can lower your risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes as much as running. All three conditions are risk factors for heart disease and stroke.

Walking Will Boost Your Mood and Fight Depression

Walking releases endorphins that will help lift your mood and can even reduce depression. Give it a try. The next time you’re feeling tired or are in a bad mood, lace up your sneakers and go for a brisk walk. It works like a charm.

If you’d like to learn more about walking check out this post on Why Walking Is A Great Low Impact Exercise.

Do you enjoy walking?