5 Less Known Benefits Of Walking

When was the last time you went for a walk? Not just to get to a destination like a shop, but to walk for the sake of walking?

Walking was a popular method of exercise for so many people during lockdown, and whilst some continue to do it, for many life has started to return to its usual hectic pace, going for a walk will now be at the bottom of the to do list.

However, if that’s the case then you are unwittingly missing out on some powerful benefits from the simple act of walking.

Weight loss, and using walking as a means to lose weight fast are often attributed to walking, and getting your body moving. The other 5 on this list are not as commonly known.

1. You Feel Relaxed

There is nothing better than walking to clear your mind and help you relax. The quickest way to escape stress, or give your mind freedom to be open to a different way of thinking is to break your current state, walking does this by taking you away from your familiar environment and giving you a fresh perspective.

You will feel relaxed and refreshed, even after a 15 minute walk. To get the best out of it, try not to take work calls on your walk!

2. You Sleep Better

We all know (or should know!) the importance of adequate sleep, since your body needs to rest. Not sleeping well or not getting enough sleep will have a negative effect on your body, and over time can lead to some pretty serious health conditions.

A walk every day can help you sleep better, as you will feel relaxed and free from stress or tension. In fact a walk in the evening will be even more beneficial, as this will help calm any tension you’re built up over the day.

3. Eases Back Pain

Night walks can relieve back pain. After a full day of sitting in the office your back back can become tense, and uncomfortable. Going for a walk can help relieve stiffness and low back pain. When you move about your joints naturally self lubricate, plus you will have an increased flow of blood into the muscles, and around the body; this has the added benefit of bringing fresh nutrients to the tissues that may need it, like the muscles of your lower back.

4. Improves The Immune System

Going for a walk in the evening is an exercise that helps all parts of the body. Your immune system benefits greatly, which means that your overall health also improves. An article from Harvard Medical School states that:

“Walking can help protect you during cold and flu season. A study of over 1,000 men and women found that those who walked at least 20 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week, had 43% fewer sick days than those who exercised once a week or less. And if they did get sick, it was for a shorter duration, and their symptoms were milder.”

You can read the full article here.

5. Keep Depression Away

As mentioned earlier, walking helps you feel relaxed after a long day. Your mind is calm and you have the opportunity to get rid of all the negativity of the day. This will also reduce the risk of depression.

As your mind relaxes, you are more likely to focus on positives, have more gratitude and be less inclined to focus on the negative thoughts. With any level of exercise you also get a release of the feel good hormones, this will automatically lift your mood too.

Disclaimer - if you are suffering from depression, or think you might be, always seek the advice of a trained professional.

I’m a big advocate of walking for health, and even though I provide mobile personal training, I still actively encourage my clients to get out and walk as often as possible.

The act of walking seems almost too simple to get such amazing benefits from, but countless studies have always returned similar findings, walking regularly = good health!

If you need any help, or have any ongoing frustrations regarding your own weight loss journey, please feel free to contact me.