Why Is Walking Good For You?

It’s free and one of the easiest ways to start your fitness journey… Walking! Many people underestimate the powerful impact walking can have on your physical and mental health. No matter the distance or length of time, getting outside and going for a walk can do wonders. The big question is Why? Why is walking good for you? Here are our top 6 reasons explaining why walking is good for you.

Walking Reduces Stress

When your feet wander, your mind wanders. By going on a walk not only are you shaking the cobwebs from your body but from your mind too. Plus, the endorphins released will leave you in a great mood. Research on employed adults has found that highly active people tend to have lower stress rates than less-active individuals.

Walking Helps You Discover Your Area

We’re so used to jumping in a car or getting public transport everywhere. Opting to walk will give you a chance to really explore your local area and find things you hadn’t noticed before. This could be along your high road, or a footpath through a park or forest. If you’re uncomfortable discovering as you walk, look up the area you’re walking in on Google ahead of time.

Walking Lowers Blood Pressure

Being active can prevent high blood pressure and help to lower your risk of heart problems in the future. Walking as an aerobic exercise is full of repetitive and rhythmic movements which get your heart, lungs blood vessels and muscles working. Regular walks keep your heart and blood vessels in good shape for your future.

Walking Helps To Maintain A Healthy Weight

We’re not talking about weight loss here. But walking helps to burn calories, tone and strengthen your muscles which all leads to a healthy body. It doesn’t matter what pace you’re walking, you will burn calories. So don’t force yourself to walk faster than your natural pace.

Walking Improves Sleep

Being active, especially walking, aids sleeping and encourages a restful night. Walking can gently tire your body out by releasing any tension held. This also means you’re well rested in the morning and don’t feel as groggy (e.g. less mornings waking up on the wrong side of the bed). If you’re walking in the evening, close to when you will go to bed, keep the walk very gentle and non-strenuous, because vigorous exercise close to bed time will keep you awake.

Walking Supports Your Loved Ones

Sponsored walks can put your new found hobby and exercise to the benefit of the community. Many charities hold sponsored walks all year round to encourage a healthy lifestyle and community fundraising. The Nightingale hold a Night Hike every year in May where you can walk 5K, 10K or 15K to help people with cancer gain free emotional physical and practical support. The Night Hike isn’t a race, so you go at your own pace and chose your distance.

If you’re thinking about getting out and walking, good for you! One piece of advice we have is, don’t put too much pressure on yourself to walk a marathon straight away.

Gradually build up your walking distance each time you venture out. If you try for too long a walk before you’re ready, not only could you hurt yourself but also lose momentum and confidence. So take it nice and slow. Remember, every step you take is literally one step closer to your goal.

If walking any distance seems like a big task right now, why not start with smaller easier targets to work your way up to longer walk.

• Use the stairs instead of the lift
• Get off the bus one stop earlier
• Walk around your house for the duration of a phone call
• At the Supermarket walk up and down every aisle
• Skip drive through ordering. Park and walk into the premises
• Use your lunch break to a lap or two of your office

Incorporating one, or all, of these small steps into your daily routine will add up week by week, month by month and before you know it, you’ll be walking further and feeling better.

If your walk ever takes you past our centre be sure to pop in and say ‘Hi’!