Start Walking to Improve Your Health

September 12, 2019

Walking is important. It’s a simple way to improve your health and give yourself some “me” time. Though it may not be as exciting as a kickboxing class or a terrain race, it’s certainly effective and it’s something you don’t need a gym membership or exercise equipment to do.

If you need some additional motivation to get moving, here are a few reasons to walk:

1. It’s good for your physical health

There are hundreds of scientific studies demonstrating the way walking improves overall health. It reduces the risk of developing diabetes as well as experiencing strokes, heart attacks, and other cardiac issues. It also lowers your cholesterol, combats inflammation, and reduces body fat. Really, you can’t go wrong with walking.

2. You can team up with others or do it alone

Walking is great in that it can be done solo or as part of a group. If you need some “me” time to gather your thoughts and be by yourself, you can walk alone. And if you want to do some light exercise but don’t want to do it on your own, you can walk with friends. You can also make a difference in the lives of others by walking for charity.

3. It improves emotional wellbeing

The same way walking benefits your physical health, it benefits your emotional wellbeing. Walking can decrease stress, lift your mood, and improve sleep quality. In fact, research shows that walking produces an anti-anxiety effect after just five minutes of movement. You’ll also find that it improves your cognitive function.

In need of some creative ways to get your steps in? Try one of these suggestions.