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As the weather warms up in the UK, it’s a great time to get outside and take advantage of the many health benefits of walking. Whether you’re looking to improve your physical fitness or boost your mental wellbeing, there are many reasons why incorporating regular walks into your routine can be incredibly beneficial. Taking intentional time out to go for a walk offers incredible health benefits and here are six key points to consider:
Walking is a low-impact exercise that can help to strengthen your heart and improve your cardiovascular health. Regular walks can help to reduce your risk of heart disease, lower your blood pressure, improve your circulation and increase your life expectancy!
Motion is lotion for your joints and tissues! If you struggle with joint or muscle pain and stiffness then walking regularly will help in the vast majority of cases as it is generally low impact and highly accessible. Regular walking can also help to maintain and improve your balance and coordination which is particularly important as we get older.
This is a fancy way of saying the energy expended (calories burnt) when not actively pursuing exercising, essentially just going about your daily business. Walking is a great way of increasing your “NEAT” and therefore helping with weight management and overall daily calorie balance. Choosing to walk to work or to the shops rather than drive or take public transport is an easy way to increase your “NEAT”.
Walking (particularly in nature) has been shown to have a positive impact on mental health, helping to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Being outside in nature, even for just a short walk, can help to lower cortisol levels and promote feelings of relaxation and calm. Additionally, the physical act of walking can be a form of meditation, helping to clear your mind and improve your mental focus.
Regular walking can also help to improve your sleep quality and duration. Walking helps to regulate your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, helping you to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Additionally, the fresh air and physical activity can help to tire your body out, making it easier to get a good night’s sleep.
Walking can help to get your creative juices flowing! Whether you need to work on a new project, problem solve or motivate yourself for an upcoming event then walking is a great tool for this. It’s also a great way of taking meetings – instead of sitting in an office or overcrowded coffee shop, try taking your meetings outside while walking and you may find real benefits in productivity while benefiting from all of the other benefits above!
Try and factor in some more time and enjoy a walk. It doesn’t have to be too strenuous, even blocking out a couple of 10-20 minute walks per day can make a big difference. Try parking a bit further away from your usual spot when going to the shops or getting off a little earlier at the bus stop to get some extra walking benefits during the day!
However, if you are struggling to walk at the moment due to pain or stiffness then get in touch with the team at SYNERGY as we’d love to help.
