How walking can help you
Everyone knows walking is fundamentally good for your body. For most of our lives it's our primary mode of transport and our bodies are designed to make the best use of our legs.
But with urban lifestyles giving easy access to public transport and cars available to all, walking has become less a form of exercise than a chore. With jobs, supermarkets and family ever further away, we've become almost dependent on vehicles to get us from 'A' to 'B'.
Walking regularly is a great form of exercise, and isn't just good for your body - it's great for your mind, too.
Physical benefits
Let's take a look at some of the physical benefits:
- Walking not only exercises the legs, but the heart too. Like any muscle, the heart benefits from regular exercise, and walking is a great way to increase your heartrate without tiring yourself out. Staying fit allows your heart to work more efficiently and can help lower your blood pressure.
- Along with healthy eating, walking can be a useful way to control your weight. Keeping your weight within healthy limits can lower the risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and strokes. A good session of exercise can also help suppress appetite.
- Regular physical activity helps reduce cholesterol in the blood.
- Studies suggest an active lifestyle can help prevent impotence, colon cancer and osteoporosis. It can lengthen your lifespan, improve sleep patterns and even relieve arthritis and back pain.
Mental benefits
What's less obvious are the benefits physical activity can have on your mental wellbeing. For example:
- Aerobic activity releases hormones like adrenaline. These hormones are crucial for your nervous system and are helpful for boosting your mood.
- Endorphins also activate in your body during exercise. These help lift your mood and create a sense of wellbeing.
- Exposure to sunlight is partly responsible for the body's production of Vitamin D, which helps maintain many of the body's essential systems.
- As mentioned above, exercise is great for improving your sleep patterns. When you're properly rested, your brain works more effectively and your concentration will increase.
Your own pace
If all of this sounds a bit too much for you, don't worry. The best thing about walking is that you do it at your own pace. A gentle ten-minute stroll around the block is better than no exercise at all, and the more you walk the more able you become.
What now?
Finding routes to walk is simple. Once you start looking, you might be surprised how many you discover!
- Ask your friends where they walk their dogs - they'll be happy to show you well-trodden paths
- Visit your local library or call the council - your local authority usually have leaflets or guides for walking locally
- Buy an Ordnance Survey map - giving you the greatest detail and freedom, a map will awaken your inner explorer
- Find a Public Footpath sign - follow the sign for a mile or three, then retrace your steps
The extra mile
We can help you get set for a brighter, healthier future. If you'd like a little help getting back on your feet and into your shoes, apply for a walk and we'll come and point you in the right direction.