You are probably familiar with the phrase uttered by Hippocrates, “Walking is a man’s best medicine.” And there is actually a lot of truth to that statement. But it can’t be just all about waking either. Along with improving your healthy lifestyle, you need to be eating and sleeping better as well. It has often been said that the best cure is prevention. And that is true as well. Never be afraid to invest in your health early on.
It’s a lot cheaper to invest in healthy food and fitness equipment than it is to be paying for doctor’s appointments, hospital visits, and medicines. Even something as little as 15-30 minutes of walking every single day can dramatically improve a person’s overall health. And there are many positives that come with being healthy that extend beyond the mere cosmetics of a person. Yes, being fitter is going to make you look a lot better – but it’s not just about that.
Walking isn’t really an activity that is going to require a substantial amount of skill and mastery. We all know how to walk after all. All you really need is some serious dedication and effort to a healthy routine. And that is when you will start seeing genuine results.
1. You reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Studies have shown that exercises like walking can actually help prevent early dementia in human beings – thereby reducing the risk of contracting Alzheimer’s disease. Walking consistently also has a way of just improving a person’s overall mental health. On top of that, it helps generate endorphins to make you feel happier and calmer while simultaneously reducing the amount of stress that you feel.
2. Your eyesight will improve.
You might find it hard to believe that walking can actually help improve your eyesight considering that your eyes and your legs are so far away from one another. However, studies have actually shown that eyesight performance can increase as a result of walking. This is because the movements associated with walking can help relieve eye pressure and fight off the development of glaucoma.
3. You are at lower risk for heart disease.
Any exercise is always going to lower the risk of heart disease developing in a person. The reason for this is that any kind of cardiovascular activity is actually going to increase the body’s heart rate. And as a result, the heart muscle is strengthened and blood circulation in the body becomes smoother and more efficient. It also helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the body.
4. You get better lung capacity.
As you are going to engage in any kind of exercise, you are going to have an increased heart rate. And with an increased heart rate, your body is going to try to spread more oxygen to the various parts of the body through the bloodstream. In order to get more oxygen, your body is going to have to absorb more oxygen through your lungs.
5. You lower the risk of contracting diabetes.
Substantial research has already shown that a small group of avid “walkers” has proven that they have as much as 6 times the glucose tolerance as runners. That means that walking is likely to be a very effective tool in maintaining a healthy pancreas and fighting off diabetes.
6. You improve your digestive system.
More research has also suggested that at least 30 minutes of vigorous walking every day actually helps improve the digestive system. It can aid in the prevention of constipation and other related bowel issues because the exercise helps regulate the movement of the digestive tract. Aside from that, walking also reduces the risk of colon cancer.
7. You get more toned muscles.
Even though walking might be a low-impact cardiovascular activity, it is still a form of strenuous movement that can help build strength in your muscles. The stronger your muscles are, the more toned they are going to become. This is especially true if your walking routes involve increased pacing and added resistance in the form of uphill climbs.
8. You get sturdier bones and joints.
The biggest enemy of your bones and joints is inactivity and laziness. That is why you are doing your bones and joints a favor by actually going out and moving a lot. Any kind of sedentary lifestyle can be harmful to your body’s skeletal structure as you grow older.
9. You get relief from back pain.
It turns out that if you experience back pain, walking might actually do you some good. This is especially true for people who experience back pain as a result of more intense exercise regimens and routines. Walking can help improve blood circulation which can also help with back pain relief.
10. You develop a calmer mind.
You just feel better overall as a result of having a fitter and more active lifestyle. You get better peace of mind.
