The mere thought of adding exercise to your routine can be enough to keep you from starting if you’ve never been very active. However, the benefits of walking and other low-impact fitness can’t be overstated.
Why walking?
Without much motivation or experience, what is the best exercise to start with? Walking.
Experts suggest walking as a means to increase your overall health. The American Heart Association reports that walking has the lowest dropout rate of any exercise routine and just 30 minutes of walking a day can improve your health by decreasing your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. It can also improve your overall mental well-being. As an added bonus, experts suggest walking with a partner if going it alone doesn’t sound appealing to you. The social interaction is also great for your health.
Benefits of walking
Here are some more benefits of adding walking to your daily routine.
1. It can prevent dementia
Being active can help reduce the risk of developing dementia as you age by over 40%. A simple 30 minute walk every day can keep your mind sharp.
2. It can improve muscle tone
Not only can a walk help strengthen the muscles in your legs, but if you pay attention to your posture it can also help those muscles in your core and back. Using your arms properly as you walk can also start to tone the muscles in your upper back, shoulders, and neck.
3. It can increase your vitamin D
Your daily walk can have benefits beyond strengthening muscles or helping you lose weight. Just being outside can help you add more vitamin D to your system. Be sure to use proper sun protection any time you are outside.
4. It can energize you
The last thing you want to do when you’re feeling lethargic or rundown is go out for a walk, but it really works. It can ease tension and relax your muscles. It can help get you out of a mid-afternoon slowdown at work.
5. It can make your happier
Exercise increases pleasant endorphins in the brain, but this isn’t the only reason walking makes you happier. Getting outside is one benefit. Making your exercose routine social is another. The more you walk, the more you’ll enjoy it and the more you’ll want to walk.
How can you add walking into your daily routine?