It seems that our doctors always recommend that we walk more. Surprisingly, there is science behind the recommendation. If you are curious about why walking makes you feel better, we have some reasons. It seems everyone uses Fitbits, Garmin tracking devices, Apple watches, and other gadgets to monitor our health. However, you don’t need any of that to stay healthy. Simply adding a daily walk can improve your physical and mental health.
While we can quote the many studies available about the benefits of walking, the above Instagram post lays it out succinctly. The speaker used information from peer-reviewed studies about the effects of walking. A 30-minute walk can reduce stress, process life changes, solve problems, and improve cardiovascular health.
One of the main factors mentioned is how our eyes move during a walk. The side-to-side movement of our eyes causes our brain to suppress the amygdala. By suppressing that area of our brain, fear, anxiety, and stress are reduced. That means our brains have fewer negative emotions, allowing us to process thoughts better. It aids in problem-solving and helps us deal with difficult situations.
The benefits of walking continue even after we return to our sedentary position on the sofa, desk chair, or recliner. Daily exercise trains your brain to better handle similar circumstances in the future. There are many other benefits to regular walking:
- Weight control
- Fight against heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and even cancer
- Strength muscles and bones
- Improve endurance
- Increase energy
- Improve cardiovascular fitness
- Get better sleep
- Help with balance and coordination
- Improve immune system health
Maintaining a wellness walking routine can help reduce your stress level. Lowering stress helps physical and mental health.
You can find the source of this story’s featured image here.
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