Walking, exercising, doing some cardio, going to the gym – it’s no secret that when people hear these things, the immediate thought that comes to mind is all about losing weight.
Well, that’s not true. Exercising is never just about the amount of weight that you’d lose, there’s a whole lot more on that than just losing weight.
What else can you get from it? Would you believe that a simple walk already has a lot of benefits?
It’s true, and here is a list of things that walks can help you with:
1. Walking can reduce your stress levels
To sort your brain cells due to the smart system that we were given 200,000 years ago, moving our muscles helps us think clearly. We tend to come up with better ideas and it was given to us so we could run away from the wild animal in the best way – to not be eaten – or to fight the best way – for the same reason.
2. Daily walking reduces blood pressure.
Walking regularly and consistently reduces the risk for cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and stroke. High blood pressure has a negative impact on the cells inside your blood vessels. That makes fat adhere to the cells and you get arteriosclerosis.
3. Walking lowers blood fat levels.
Just like how it reduces our blood pressure, it lowers our blood fat levels which are also known as our blood lipid levels. Hence, it also reduces our chances of getting a heart attack and stroke.
4. It also lowers blood sugar and keeps them in place.
High blood sugar has so many negative effects and brisk walking can even reverse diabetes in the making.
5. It strengthens your bone structure.
Daily walking makes our bones stronger, prevents osteoporosis, and makes it harder for us to get bone fractures when we fall – and that is a good thing. Imagine getting a hip fracture if you fall – that is a big trauma for your body and probably also for your purse.
6. It helps with our balance.
Walking also makes our balance system stronger so that we don’t fall that easily. This reduces the number of fractures and makes life easier in general.
7. Mood booster!
One of my personal favorites. Physical activity makes our brain cells more alert and we can think clearer which makes life easier, and also affects your system of feel-good hormones.
It puts us in a more positive state and from there we can by willpower change our thoughts to positive ones. Amazing, right? 🙂
8. Better bowel movements.
Daily consistent walking prevents constipation.
Taking a brisk walk is one of the most effective ways to get your bowels moving and when that system works like a clock – you will feel so much better.
One more thing to get our tummies thanks us. Eat more green! 🙂
9. It even prevents some forms of cancer.
Yes, as it provides more rapid transportation through the bowels which lessens the inflammation in the body, so it helps in keeping our hormonal systems in order.
As you can see, walking has so many positive effects and many of the effects overcrossing each other, making it even more win-win for you.
Many of the things on my list are part of the so-called metabolic syndrome: Cholesterol, blood sugar, hypertension – they go hand in hand and brisk walks are a very good base for treating all of them.
So start walking as if your life depends on it – because it does.
Also, this can be the start of maybe a little more intense physical activity and you can become a really fit person 😉 your body will thank yourself later!
BONUS TIP
Make this a walk and talk – with a colleague, with a friend, with your kids – will be a perfect conversation with lots of new ideas.
I used to take my girls with me on my walks and that makes the bonds stronger.
GET HELP IF YOU NEED
If it feels hard to decide what you want to do on your own – get a mentor. Reach out if you need help. It is always important and there will always be things that you can support.
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To your success and keep smiling,
