Why walking more is good for you health
You don’t need a yearly membership or any fancy gym equipment, and there are no limits on age and fitness status to add more steps to your day. If you are looking for some motivation to get out, soak up the sunshine and improve your health and wellbeing, then look no further! Here are some of the benefits that walking can provide to you.
Natural Energy Boost
Going for a short brisk walk is a great way to boost your energy naturally. Especially after a meal, it helps to promote circulation and increases oxygen levels to the brain and body. Walking can also help improve mental sharpness especially during the middle of the day around 3pm, when a lot of us start getting sugar cravings. It is recommended going for a walk after having lunch to help with digestion and also give you that extra boost to push you through the second half of your working day.
Improve your mood
Recent studies on behaviour and mood have found regular short walks can work as effectively as some medications for low mood disorders. Going for a walk with your partner or taking your dog for a walk helps you get the endorphins (happy hormones) flowing. It is also a good social exercise, walking with friends, having a laugh and reducing your stress.
Increases Vitamin D levels
Going for a 30 minute walk outside is a fantastic way to boost your vitamin D levels. When your skin is exposed to sunlight your body is able to produce and regulate vitamin D. Vitamin D is a very important foundation element used in many of our metabolic processes. It is important in immune defence, bone health and overall general function. Australia as a population is deficient in vitamin D.
Important for joint health
Gentle resistance exercise like walking is very important for developing healthy strong bones. When we walk, the locomotive action of the joints moving and the muscles pulling on the bones helps to strengthen the bones and increase their density. Healthy bone density has been related to many different conditions, osteoporosis is one of those.
Walking is also a good way to reduce inflammation and flush out the toxins after athletic performance. Movement is life, and regular walking helps keep your joints especially the weight bearing joints of the knees, hips and ankles lubricated and in shape. Reducing the intake of caffeine and sugar is also a good way to preserve healthy bone density; these ingredients have been found to drag minerals calcium and magnesium out of the bones, reducing their density and strength.
Get back to nature
There have been many research studies reporting the benefits of walking and the effects they have on stress, mood and overall health and wellbeing. Going for a walk to the park or along the beach allows you to get back in touch with nature. Nature has a calming effect on us, it is peaceful, clean and easy accessible. Walking is a great way to clear your head and improve your focus and clarity. A good tip is to walk down to your local shops or walk the kids to school if possible. Also parking a little way from your destination is a god way to increase your daily step count.
So what are you waiting for? Get your shoes ready, and get outside walking today!
If you have any specific questions regarding your individual situation or you would love further information please contact us here at Global Chiropractic on 54443388 or email [email protected].