Comedian Ellen DeGeneres once said “My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was 60. She’s 97 now, and we don’t know where the heck she is.”
Humor is good for our health but even better is a daily walk. Here are several ways that walking puts you on a path to happiness, physical and psychological health.
1. You can walk your way to happiness. Studies show that walking lifts your mood and reduces stress.
Walking also sets off a number of processes that contribute directly to your sense of happiness and well-being, including:
- promoting the release of endorphins – “happy” hormones
- releasing adrenaline – the body’s own “mood-lifting” chemical
- producing hormones to improve sleep
- releasing muscle tension.
Walking also can give you a feeling of accomplishment, which increases self-esteem.
2. A small amount of physical activity each day can produce substantial health benefits for people who are physically inactive.
Walking is:
- simple – no instructors or membership needed
- free – no special equipment involved.
- practical – can be done anywhere, anytime
- easy – just get up and walk!
Start slow and gradually build up to a moderate pace.
3. Regular walkers have fewer health problems.
Depending on your situation you could also:
- reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke
- reduce your risk of developing some cancers
- feel more energetic
- increase muscle strength and endurance
- lose weight, reduce body fat and increase muscle tone
- lower blood pressure
- prevent or control diabetes
- reduce joint and muscular stiffness and pain
- strengthen your bones and reduce the risk of osteoporosis
- improve balance
- improve sleep.
Walking is a great way to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days, and you don’t have to do it all at once. Any brisk walk of at least 10 minutes is good for our health and can reduce the risk of disease.
Take every opportunity to be active because each step you take is making you healthier and happier.
Walking is part of my every day exercise routine, and I can definitely see the change in my mood and flexibility every time I am done walking. Also, just by walking, I lost 15 lbs in around 6 months.
Photo by Robert Bye on Unsplash
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