Whether you’re already regularly exercising or you’re looking for an easy way to stay fit, you’ll be doing yourself a favor by getting outside and taking a walk. It may seem like such a simple workout, but Dana Santas, a fitness contributor at CNN explains, “Walking is the most underrated, corrective, mind-body, fat-burning exercise available to humans.”
As it turns out, there are plenty of ways that walking can enhance your life, and not just in the physical department.
How Is Walking Beneficial?
- Improves health – lowers blood pressure, helps you lose weight, and reduces the risk of heart disease
- Improves your memory – and it can also improve your cognitive skills
- Mood booster – walking lowers stress and can ease anxiety
- Helps you sleep – believe it or not, it can help with insomnia
- Strengthens muscles and joints – and it can even help strengthen your bones, too
- Helps you build family and community bonds – by spending quality time talking with someone while walking, it can bring you closer together and help foster new friendships
Here’s some more good news – you don’t need to walk vigorously to reap the benefits, unless you want to, of course. You can go at your own pace, and all that matters is that you’re getting some daily steps in. Take your time and be careful. Consult with your doctor if you haven’t been active for a long time.
Do you take regular walks? We’d love to hear from you!
Browse through our other articles on Council of Seniors 365 for more advice on staying active and fit as a senior.
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