In addition to preventing the onset of diseases and reducing stress and anxiety levels, introducing this habit into our routine is the best gift we can give our heart.
We are increasingly aware of the importance of taking care of our health to achieve well-being and prevent diseases. A correct diet and the regular practice of physical exercise are the fundamental pillars to be healthy, both inside and out. However, you don’t have to lock yourself in the gym or put yourself in the hands of a personal trainer to achieve your goal of exercise. One of the activities that we can include in our routine and that reports endless benefits is walking. It is simple, it can be done on any surface, alone or in a company. Choose good shoes and comfortable clothes, choose your path and spend a few minutes a day taking care of your physical and mental health. There is no excuse!
Strengthen the heart
Walking, like any aerobic exercise, not only protects the heart, it rejuvenates it. This activity improves the elasticity of the arteries and reduces the risk of having a heart attack. With each step we take, we are helping to increase the size of the cavities of this valuable organ, which increases the amount of blood it can pump with each beat.
Prevents the appearance of various conditions
Walking helps prevent and control various conditions, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes.
Promotes weight loss
Of course, a walk a day can have a big toll on the scale. Although it does not burn as many calories as other activities, taking a daily walk contributes significantly to weight control. Adding a half-hour of brisk walking to your daily routine helps you burn about 150 more calories a day. The longer the distances and the faster the pace, the more calories you will burn.
Helps curb cravings
Walking produces an anxiolytic effect. A study conducted by the University of Exeter concludes that walking 15 minutes a day can relieve anxiety and curb the intake of sugary foods and processed products, which are so harmful to health.
Strengthens bones and muscles
Walking not only strengthens the lower body muscles, but it also tones the upper body, especially arms and abs.
Helps balance cholesterol
Walking and other physical activities can be more beneficial in controlling cholesterol than a drug. So much so that, according to a study published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, this activity can reduce levels of ‘bad’ or LDL cholesterol by up to 7%, while brisk walking raises ‘good’ cholesterol or HDL.
Improves mood
In addition to keeping the brain agile and clearing the mind, a walk reduces stress and anxiety levels, releases endorphins, and causes a feeling of well-being and mental and emotional satisfaction.
Perfect for gaining more balance and body coordination
Another benefit of spending a few minutes a day walking is improving balance and coordination. Walking helps prevent falls, achieve more efficient movements, improve endurance, and reduce the risk of injury.
Improves sexual life
It is not a myth! Exercise is the best therapy to improve the quality of our relationships, in addition to helping us tone the pelvic floor, something important to enjoy a satisfying sexual life.
Promotes sleep
When we are in motion, we secrete different hormones that increase physical and mental relaxation, we forget about the daily worries that prevent us from resting peacefully and we significantly reduce the mental load that stress generates.
