Daily walking offers so many physical and mental health benefits, it's easy and it's free.
Even if you're not used to walking, you can gradually build up your fitness levels by increasing your walking distance bit by bit. Some people find that counting their daily steps is a good incentive and enjoy the challenge.
Here are some of the benefits of walking:
- Walking eases joint and muscular pain or stiffness
- It helps to strengthen bones
- It can improve balance
- Walking can help to maintain a healthy weight
- It is good for the immune system (by increasing our circulation, which helps the white blood cells circulate more effectively)
- It can be useful in helping to relieve stress, anxiety and depression. By releasing endorphins it has benefits for our mental health as well as our spirit.
- Improvements are found in our cognition and memory
- It can help to improve our sleep
- A 30 minute walk a day can lower our blood sugar level
- Walking outdoor in nature can be very mindful
- If possible, it can be helpful to take the occasional break in the day for a short 5 min walk, just enough to clear your head
- Walking can be sociable and a lovely way to meet people
- It improves our cardio vascular fitness
- Increases our energy levels.
Whilst I'm talking about walking, have you every tried walking backwards? Here are some benefits of backward walking.
It is thought that walking backwards can help to relieve some:
- back pain
- Knee problems
- Arthritis
- Improves balance, posture and co ordination
- strengthens different muscles to forwards walking
Try building up to walking 5 - 10 minutes a couple of times a week. Start by doing a couple of minutes a couple of times a week.
It is much harder than walking forwards. When you walk backwards you really need to concentrate on what you're doing. Start slowly and avoid lots of people.
Give it a try, take care and enjoy.