The Benefits of Walking

The Many Benefits of Brisk Walking

Information taken from an article entitled “8 Astonishing Benefits of Walking” on Rodale.com

• Reduce your risk for developing type 2 diabetes. New research links brisk walking to a significant risk reduction for developing type 2 diabetes.
• Heat up your sex life. A study of women between 45 to 55 showed that those who engaged in regular exercise like brisk walking reported greater sexual desire and better satisfaction.
• Save money on gym costs. Walking can be done anywhere; park, sidewalks, the woods, and only 150 minutes of moderate-intensity walking a week can help manage stress and prevent heart disease.
• Get off your medications. The National Walkers’ Health Study, including more than 32,000 women and 8,000 men, found that those who took the longest weekly walks, not necessarily accumulated the most mileage per week, were more likely to use less medication. Frequent short walks are effective, too, but try to get a longer walk in at least once a week.
• Reduce fibromyalgia pain. A small study found that women who walked 60 minutes, performed light exercises, and stretched three times a week for 18 weeks showed significant improvements in walking and mental capacity, and were less tired and depressed.
• Will aid you in the fight against breast cancer. Women who walk regularly after being diagnosed with breast cancer have a 45 percent greater chance of survival than those who are inactive, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
• Reduces your risk of stroke. According to researchers from the University of South Carolina, walking briskly for just 30 minutes, five days a week can significantly lower your risk of suffering a stroke.
• Save your mind. Italian researches found that people who expended the most energy walking had a 27 percent lower risk of developing dementia than the people who expended the least. This could have something to do with the fact that physical activity increases blood flow to the brain.

How to add more steps in:

• Park further away: Instead of looking for front row parking, purposely park a block or so away. Allow for extra time to your destination to get those steps in 
• Start your day with a walk: Start your day with an early morning walk, that way you are getting yours steps in first thing and can add to them each day. You also get the added benefit of fresh air and sunshine first thing
• Take a lunch break: A great way to decompress mid day is to take a walk, get some fresh air, and get some added steps in. If you go to lunch, pick somewhere that you can walk to 
• Take the stairs: Opt for the stairs instead of the elevator