When you walk briskly, not only your legs get moving, but you activate the entire body, such as lungs, heart and circulation. You also stimulate the production of muscles, bones and cartilage. Walking in nature or the city center also removes worries and gives a more optimistic view of life. And the advantage compared to many other sports is little chance of injury. Exercise is also worthwhile for diabetes, high blood pressure, pregnancy, etc.
Rest rust
Not everyone is able to keep the body in shape and relax the mind through a “real” sport such as swimming, badminton, tennis, racing cycling, running, etc. Fortunately, you can also keep your lungs, heart, muscles and bones strong through a good brisk walk. And if you have any worries, nothing is as distracting for the mind as taking a walk outdoors and enjoying all the beauty you see.
Strong muscles and bones
Regular intensive walking strengthens bones and muscles, thus reducing the risk of osteoporosis. Because we repeatedly stress the bones, they not only become stronger, but we even build new bone mass, which prevents osteoporosis. Walking also stimulates the production of cartilage, allowing us to move more smoothly.
Condition of heart and lungs
Exercise is good for the heart, lungs and circulation. And that also applies to taking a long walk every day, even if we only exercise for at least half an hour. After all, the heart is a muscle, and every muscle we strain becomes bigger and stronger. The risk of heart problems decreases if we exercise for just one hour a week. It also slows down the resting heart rate because fewer beats are needed to circulate the same amount of blood.
Against diabetes and obesity
Walking every day also reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes by more than 50%.
If we walk at a pace of 5 kilometers per hour for an hour, we consume approximately 240 kilocalories. This means that if you walk for half an hour at this pace every day, you will lose one kilo every 2 months.
Certain cancers
Frequent walking reduces the risk of breast, colon and uterine cancer. The chances of survival double for people with colon cancer if they walk at least an hour every day. In any case, walking stimulates metabolism and bowel movements and is therefore good against constipation.
Against worries and gloom
Many people with sad moods and depressive feelings tend to stay at home, which is understandable. But nothing is as distracting for the mind as going outside and enjoying the special things around you, such as children, animals and everything else that grows and blooms. It clears your mind when you pay attention to your surroundings, and it often puts your own worries into a more realistic perspective. Even in the middle of winter when the days are short, breathing oxygen-rich fresh outside air prevents gloom and autumn depression. Especially since our skin can also absorb extra sunlight for the much-needed production of vitamin D.
So from now on every day for at least half an hour: “On the paths, into the avenues, move forward at a brisk pace!”.
