Walking, hiking, hiking, or just wandering, refer to it – it’s fun and free, and it leads you through the most beautiful countryside that is on to offer and is great for your mental and physical health and overall well-being. Walking is long recognized as a gentle but effective exercise option and is suitable for everyone of all ages and levels of fitness. The burning of calories and cardio are only one aspect of the health advantages that it provides. The following are the benefits of wearing those hiking boots and taking you and your child out.
Happy feet, Happy heart, happy feet
Walking for a long time has been recognized as an aid in improving cardiovascular health, reducing blood pressure, and lowering the risk of developing heart disease. A short walk each day can bring significant benefits, and there is still time to get started. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine discovered that Walking was inversely associated with coronary events. Women who walked three or more hours per week at a fast speed were 30% to 40% less susceptible. The study also revealed that sedentary women who become active in later life reduced the risk of heart-related illnesses compared to women who had remained inactive – therefore, put on your boots, ladies! Also, men can benefit from studies like the Honolulu Heart Study, showing that the mortality rates for non-smoking retired men who walked for 2 miles (3.2km) or more per day were less than those who walked just one mile (1.6km) (New New England Journal of Medicine January 8th, 1998)
Fighting fit
Walking has been associated with a lower risk of developing diseases like osteoporosis, diabetes, and cancers. A study conducted at the University of Glasgow suggested that thirty minutes of exercise every day can significantly lower the chance of developing Type 2 Diabetes, with increased physical activity being associated with a 20% to 30% reduction in the chance of developing this disease. ‘(Physical exercise as well as the reduction of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus’ Gill and Cooper; Sport Medicine 1st Oct 2008). The World Cancer Research Fund recommends that you spend 30 minutes daily Walking at a brisk pace to decrease cancer incidence and a longer exercise duration provides greater advantages. There is evidence that exercising more reduces the chance of developing colon cancer and possible evidence that it plays a role in reducing the incidence of endometrial and breast cancer. Walking can also aid in fighting osteoporosis. Exercises that require weight, such as Walking, will result in bone growth. Dr. Rozental from Harvard’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre recommends 20-30 minutes of walking three times per week to ensure good amounts of bone mass, and walking outside can also boost the levels of Vitamin D, which is associated with playing a part in preventing a wide variety of serious diseases.
Take a stroll in the color green to defeat blues.
How often do you get people to say that they should get out and enjoy an exercise to unwind their minds? Walking can have a profound positive effect on your mind. Studies confirm this with those who are actively reaping benefits from a reduction in anxiety and depression and a greater feeling of well-being. “Ecotherapy: The green agenda to improve mental well-being’ (Mind, 2007) study examined the effects of green activities like gardening and walking on the mind’s well-being. 94% of the study participants reported greater satisfaction with their lives following their green exercises, and 90% said that the mix of training and the natural environment was vital in determining their mood. Seventy percent of participants felt less depression following a walk through the country park. Ninety percent reported feeling more confident in their self-esteem, and 88% reported an overall improved mood following the exercise. It is believed that the Mental Health Foundation even promotes the practice of gentle exercise as a substitute for mild antidepressants to treat depression, as described in their info leaflet entitled “Up and Running” (MHF July 2005).
Get your sexy life by strolling in the open fields!
This isn’t an invitation to heat things in the sun. However, you might be interested in knowing that research suggests that walking in the daytime can bring life to your bedroom at night! A nine-year study of 600 men by Dr. Irwin Goldstein of Boston University School of Medicine found that men who continued training or started exercising in middle age had a lower possibility of developing impotence. In contrast to alcohol, smoking, and other causes, there is no reason to wait until it’s too late to reap fitness benefits; Dr. Goldstein’s research suggested that a vigorous two-mile walk every day could extend the life of men’s sexuality. Numerous studies further confirm the connection between physical exercise and sexual, physical, and mental health, including better circulation, energy, and confidence resulting from training and increased sexual activity.
Do you still need to get on that trail for hiking to this point?
If all of the above weren’t reason enough to pull out your coat and baby and get out the door, Walking is also a great postnatal exercise. It’s safe enough to allow postnatal mothers to ease gradually back into their exercise routine while aiding to boost spirits and contributing to greater mental health. The presence of baby and parent walking groups can play crucially in helping create supportive networks for the new parents and a way to share experiences and socialize. Walking is also beneficial for infants. The outdoors is a great way to increase the stimulation of your senses. Interaction with others may assist in speeding up the development of speech and other social skills, and every parent will confirm a great stroll is helping calm an anxious baby! Walking also increases the amount of vitamin D babies get, which is a crucial factor in their development. Qualitative research has revealed that parents think taking their children for a walk often can help reduce crying and moody behavior. Whatever you want to call it, the health advantages of Walking and hiking are evident for everyone of all ages.
