Grab those walking shoes …. there is no better time than Heart Awareness week to remind everyone how fantastic walking is, not just for our physical health but also our mental health.
Some people discount walking stating, “it’s a waste of time!” So, is it a waste of time??
What are the benefits of walking?
• It’s free…. and can be done by anyone at any time. Anyone regardless of fitness level can
start walking, even just doing laps around the house in the ad breaks to start with to build up stamina then increasing the distance. Ideally it is recommended that we should be walking for 30 minutes a day and at a pace that raises our heart and breathing rate (you should feel a little breathless).
• Walking not only strengthens the heart and cardiovascular system itself but also reduces the chance of heart attack and stroke by 30%. You will also be less likely to develop type 2 diabetes as it regulates the glucose in your blood and studies also show that it helps curb sugar cravings.
• Walking kick starts the metabolism. 30 minutes of exercise a day eliminates toxins, fights fluid retention, promotes burning of fat, and stimulates circulation. The faster you walk the more calories you burn!
• Walking increases energy levels by increasing circulation and thus the oxygen supply to every cell in our body.
• Walking Improves your balance and coordination, builds muscle and eases joint pain preventing arthritis as well as increasing bone density, preventing osteoporosis.
• It boosts immune function. A study of 1000 people over cold and flu season (which is now upon us again) found those that walked 30 mins a day had 43% less sick days and those that did get sick had milder symptoms and a shorter duration.
• Prevents dementia, Physical activity has been shown to prevent brain tissue loss and preserve
memory, therefore reducing the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease by 40%.
• It makes you more creative. The journal of experimental psychology administered creative
thinking tests to subjects while seated and while walking and it was found walkers were far more creative.
• Walking is the most under utilized treatment for stress. It can lead you into an almost meditative state as you literally walk your worries away, along with that annoying “brain Fog.”
• Reduces your chances of depression and anxiety (by as much as 40% found recently in a study in New Jersey) Walking releases those wonderful hormones known as endorphins which can create feelings of happiness and well being. It was also found walking with a social group or friend can create a feeling of connectedness which boosts mood. Walking outside in natural sunlight also starves off Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in those winter months.
• Improves the quality of your sleep, which allows you to enter the deepest stage of sleep and stay there. Sleep is vital for life and the benefits can be found in my previous blogs.
• It increases your life span so you not only live longer but remain healthier and happier for longer.
Well the verdicts in, walking is the one exercise we can do at any age and fitness level to ensure we care for our body, mind and spirit. I’m off for my daily walk!
If you need help motivating yourself to start exercising, make better choices to become fitter and healthier or deal with anxiety/depression hypnotherapy may be the key to your success. For more information, questions or comments contact www.oliviawalford.com.au or www.facebook.com/sandringhamhypnotherapy