Walking every day reduces the risk of 24 different diseases – including protecting against many types of cancer and all kinds of heart disease.
But a daily walk around the block or in the park also has a very direct impact on your health – physical, mental and emotional.
Reading tip
Even just 180 minutes of exercise a week will help you feel the positive effects.
Live longer with daily walks
The health organizations Public Health England and the Royal College of General Practitioners have announced in a study found that daily walking was associated with a 15 percent reduced risk of dying early.
This is mainly because many diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by strengthening the blood vessels and training the heart while walking.
Reading tip
Walking strengthens the immune system
The reduced risk of many illnesses and symptoms is not least due to a strengthened immune system.
Walks allow you to get plenty of fresh air and sunlight, which counteracts vitamin D deficiency and benefits your immune system.
It has been proven that active people have more immune cells and are therefore significantly more resistant to infections with viruses and bacteria.
The so-called forest bathing, the movement in forests and parks, stimulates even more natural killer cells and further strengthens this effect.
Walks are good for mental health
But it’s not just your physical form that can benefit from walking. Mental health is also improved. The movement stimulates blood circulation throughout the body.
This means more oxygen is transported to the brain. In addition, more fresh oxygen is absorbed through the fresh air. The result is better memory and concentration performance.
Reading tip
Better mood through fresh air
In addition to the freedom to indulge in one’s own thoughts, increased well-being also comes from the fact that happiness hormones are released when going for a walk. The good mood you feel after a walk through the park is based on biological facts.
Walking every day helps you lose weight
The release of the happiness hormone serotonin also helps against cravings. This is one of the reasons why walking proves to be a useful activity if you want to lose weight. In addition, you burn calories almost unnoticed and without giving rise to a new feeling of hunger through strenuous exertion.
Reading tip
Walking promotes digestion
A few steps around the block can come in handy not only before eating but also afterward. After a meal, you may feel bloated, uncomfortably full, or even exhausted and tired.
A walk not only refreshes the mind, it also activates the abdominal muscles. The digestive organs are gently massaged while walking and the digestive juices are stimulated. This makes digestion easier and helps with a painful feeling of fullness.
Walking can relieve pain
Even deeper pain such as back or hip pain, muscular tension or hardness can be relieved by walking as it stimulates blood circulation.
Since all muscles and many joints in the body are stressed when walking, you strengthen your entire musculoskeletal system and ensure that the joints maintain their function. This way you can prevent movement pain even as you get older. Walking alone can counteract muscle loss as we age. The muscles continue to function as protection against injuries and chronic pain for a long time.
Anti-aging effect: Walking ensures a younger appearance
Regular walks will also keep you looking young for longer. The skin is supplied with better blood and the skin cells are supplied with plenty of oxygen. This results in a beautiful, healthy complexion.
Hide sources
author
Kimberly Papenthin, News Editor
source
Dr. Brannan, Mike et al. (2017): 10 minutes brisk walking each day in mid-life for health benefits and towards achieving physical activity recommendations, accessed on September 27, 2024: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/639030/Health_benefits_of_10_mins_brisk_walking_evidence_summary.pdf
Reading tips