Nowadays technology has made our life easier in many ways but as a society, we’ve become more sedentary, as most of our jobs or passions may require us to sit in front of a computer most of the day.
Being raised by my grandparents in a countryside, I remember they were all day working outside and they only used to sit down during our meals. People were more active 20, 30 years ago, but today, in our modern society, we tend to move much less and this unfortunately is part of the reason for widespread obesity, heart disease, and other causes of early death.
We all know by now that only eating well is not enough, physical activity is equally important.
New exercise trends can be fun and exciting but I do not say that you need to become a member of a gym or fitness group in order to do some exercise.
So, what is the solution you may ask? Something very simple that requires no special skills, has a low risk of injury, is convenient, appropriate for all ages, and it’s free.
The secret is walking! Walking is the near perfect exercise and is one of the most powerful ways to maintain a healthy weight and stay strong. Walking is simple enough that nearly any able-bodied person can do it, all you have to do is put one foot in front of the other.
If you start with only a regular daily 15 minute brisk walk will bring into your life a long list of rewards.
Let’s see 5 health benefits that a daily 15 minutes walk can have on you:
1. Walking reduces anxiety and depression
Researches show that a daily 15 minutes walk modifies your nervous system so much that you’ll experience a decrease in anger and hostility and will lift your spirits and the effect can even be amplified if you take a stroll through some greenery. A 15 minutes walk into a park or garden can really boost your mood.
2. Walking will help you burn calories and maintain a healthy weight
A daily regular walk increases metabolism by burning extra calories and by preventing muscle loss, which is particularly important as we get older, and at the same time can help reduce belly fat and, as a result, improve our body’s response to insulin, according to research.
3. Walking will help you have a better cardiovascular health
Is not a secret that sitting at a desk all day restricts blood flow to your legs, increasing heart attack and stroke risk factors. But did you know that regular 15 minute walks can actually help safeguard your arteries?
One of the most cited studies on walking and health, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, found that those who walked enough to meet physical activity guidelines had a 30% lower risk of cardiovascular events (like heart attack or stroke) compared with those who did not walk regularly.
4. Walking can help alleviate joint pain
If you experience pain in your joints, exercise may be the last thing on your mind but contrary to what you may think, it turns out that walking reduces arthritis-related pain, especially in the knees and hips, improving your range of motion and mobility because walking increases blood flow to tense areas and helps strengthen the muscles surrounding your joints.
A 2019 study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine followed 1,564 adults older than 49 with lower-body joint pain. Participants who walked for an hour each week were more likely to remain disability-free four years later.
5. Walking enhances creativity
Nietzsche wrote, “All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking,” and researches have proved it true.
According to Stanford University researchers, a brainstorm during a 15 to 20 minute walk, will generate twice as many ideas as sitting at a desk.
So whether you’re feeling stuck at work or you’ve been searching for a solution to a tricky problem, or if you need to give your ideas legs, it’s a good idea to get moving, as walking can boost creative ideation both in real-time and shortly after.
Are you walking at least 15 minutes everyday?
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