The health benefits of walking

Unfortunately we take less and less exercise nowadays though peaceful walks calm you down and clear your head. Together with diet and other exercise plans, it can also help with weight loss and tone up muscles. Easy and free, going for a walk's one of the best, yet underestimated, sports that we can enjoy.

 

There is an article written by Brian Thomas, M.S. (Science Writer at the Institute for Creation Research) where he explains that Humans were made for Walking:

 

"A recent study found that human locomotion has two gears: walking and running. When walking, a large proportion of energy transfer between steps occurs at the hip joint. The study, published in the journal Interface, showed that when the speed reaches two meters per second, the body transitions to a running gear. When running, more of the energy transfer occurs at the ankle joint.

The "unusual structure of our foot," including its "big heel," and the length and straightforward orientation of the big toe, as well as human hip bones, which aim the knees forward in the direction toward which humans walk."

 

So here's some benefits what walking can do for your body:

 

PREVENTS CANCER

Walking a mile a day can cut risk of dying from cancer by 40% as a study shows. If you increase the walking time to almost 4 hours a week, you could decrease the chances of cancer to almost 54%.

 

REDUCE VARICOSE VEINS

Brisk walking and flexing your arches helps blood flow up to our hearts. It tones up your veins and improves circulation, preventing venous stasis, a condition that causes varicose veins and heavy leg syndrome.

 

FIGHTS OBESITY

Obesity is a major public health problem not only in the United States. Walking is one of the most popular leisure-time physical activities among adults and has been associated with long-term adherence to regular physical activity.

 

FIGHTS DEPRESSION

Research reported in the British Journal of Sports Medicine showed that walking 30 minutes each day lifted depressed patients’ spirits faster than antidepressants.

 

WEIGHT LOSS

Can you lose weight just from walking? Nope. You need to have a diet too.

Walking + Proper Dieting = Weight Loss.  Yaaay!

Walking burns fat without making the body very tired.  It’s much less intense than running, yet it still helps to burn fat.

 

PROVIDES BETTER SLEEPING

Walking promotes a better night sleep, increase energy, and improve the overall quality of your life. When the President's Council on Physical Fitness asked seven medical experts to ra­te the sleep-promoting abilities of a whole gamut of physical activities, walking beat out many popular sports.

 

IMPROVES YOUR MEMORY

Walking oxygenates your body, brain included. It stimulates cognitive functions, whilst improving concentration, memory.

 

LOWERS BLOOD PRESSURE

Walking regularly and progressively lowers blood pressure. It keeps your arteries healthy so that blood and oxygen easily reach your heart.

 

These answers are for general informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice.