Benefits of Walking Every Day
Brisk walking on
a daily basis can improve cardiovascular fitness by strengthening the heart, lowering blood pressure, and improving circulation. Walking at least 30
minutes a day helps lower the risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and
other cardiovascular conditions.
Walking is a low-impact activity, which means it will create less stress and strain on
your joints than activities like running or tennis.
Walking is easy enough that all
fitness levels can get those daily steps in, without special equipment. Gear
can be as simple as a sturdy pair of walking shoes and comfortable, loose
fitting, layered clothing, and drinking water.
Walking is a zero-calorie fitness
strategy that offers similar stress reduction perks as eating some good mood
foods.
Walking helps tone bodies and burn calories. A daily walking habit may help you lose weight and belly fat,
and keep it off. In fact, walking just one mile burns about 100 calories.
For
people of any age who have arthritis, walking is especially good medicine. It strengthens
muscles, which helps shift pressure from joints and reduce pain. See How to Exercise Safely With Arthritis for details.
Everyone benefits from a regular
walking routine, as walking compresses and releases the cartilage in knees, and helps circulate synovial fluid that brings oxygen and nourishment to joints.
A study published
in September 2022 in JAMA Neurology, found walking 9,800 steps per day
was associated with steady declines in dementia risk, and even fewer steps than
the 9,800 threshold were still associated with a decline.
Regular exercise gives your face a glow, and your being the vim and vigor you can’t get any other way.
Walking
can raise your energy level, cognition, memory, and sleep quality, as well as strengthen the immune system.
Time spent walking can be an opportunity to meditate, and put aside electronic devices. It's self-caring to reserve time every day to unwind and relax with no interruptions.
Tips for Successful Walking
Start out with short walks or walking at a light intensity, and gradually build up to longer walks or moderate or vigorous speed.
As soon as your walking parameter feels too easy, work on increasing the duration, frequency, or speed.
Keep up motivation by focusing on progress not perfection. When all else fails, use the mantra some exercise is better than none.
Do not start any new exercise program, without consulting your health care provider.
Notice all windows of opportunity. For example, when you're running errands by auto, park far away from your destination. Finish the last half-mile on foot.
If you are up to it, leave the car at home and do errands by walking the whole way.
Whenever possible, walk during daylight hours, and wear a light colored vest or
sweatshirt so you are visible to traffic.
Always walk facing oncoming traffic. If it's dark carry a flashlight or walk on a lighted track or indoors on a treadmill.
Choose
routes that are well-used, well-lit, and safe. Even if you walk the same route
every day, stay alert at all times to prevent falls from stumbling over brush
and other obstacles in your path.
Don’t compare your routine to what others are doing. Set a time or step goal that is attainable for you. If you need to start with just 10 minutes or 5,000 steps a day and build up, that is better than nothing!
Pay
attention to your surroundings, and avoid distractions like headphones. Refrain
from being on your phone. Give yourself permission to be fully present to the
now.
Walk on a sidewalk or a
path whenever possible or find a smooth, stable surface alongside the road.
Dress appropriately. For colder temps, keep extremities
protected from the environment. Fingers, toes, ears, and nose are most likely
to suffer a cold injury like frostbite. Wear layers and wear a hat and
sunglasses.
In warm or hot
weather, try to exercise in the shade as much as possible, and keep to tree
lined paths for your walk.
Wear appropriate clothing: Light colored, loose
fitting clothing made from cotton or sweat wicking fabrics are best. Also, don't
forget a hat, sunglasses, and water for hydration.
Mix things up by grabbing a walking buddy, some friends, your children, or romantic partner and take an invigorating walk together.
Make your walk feel fresh, and go to places you haven't been to before. Examples are a park, arboretum, zoo, or hiking trail. Find a new path or hill to climb.
Even if you go to the same place every day, go at a different time of day than you’re used to. Lighting, colors, sounds, and smells will be different, and the people and living creatures you notice will also change with a different time.
There are many
benefits of walking every day, and self-care tips and ideas to make this type
of exercise a triumphant, health enhancing activity you take in stride (pun intended).
Note: This post is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only, and not offered as health or fitness advice. Please consult with your health care provider, before starting any exercise program.
Please comment
below.
Do you have questions or feedback
about walking for its wellness benefits?
Those people who walk every day find they improve their mental and physical health and feel better about their appearance as well. Do you agree or disagree and why?
Did this post reveal something new
that encourages you to consider developing a daily walking practice?
Please share below.
I have found if I walk early in
the morning, the feel-good vibes I experience carries over into my work and
play.
I read
and appreciate every comment, but will not publish those that contain links.
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