Written By: Tosin Ajogbeje Date: 17/07/20
Do you have a form of physical activity in your lifestyle plan? Well, people often believe that working out should be mostly done at the gym. But the truth is that a daily brisk walk is another great way to improve your flexibility and maintain a healthy weight. Ever heard that walking 30 minutes every day can improve muscle power, strengthen bones, and reduce excess body weight? The other advantage of going on walks is that you get to avoid making pricey fees to use special equipment and training.
Because walking requires minimal equipment and body movement, it can be done at any time and at your own pace. The question is for how long? As someone who enjoys going for walks with friends, I would recommend a 1-2 hr walk. In cases where you find yourself strolling around the neighbourhood or visiting places, this could be a good opportunity to walk. Research claims that walking 30 minutes as briskly as possible or walking longer hours enables you to get the health benefits you need. Depending on what you want to get out of walking, your chances of weight loss or staying healthy may be achievable.
Here are key suggestions to build walking into your daily routine:
· Climb the stairs instead of taking the elevator
· Try walking home and get off public transportation
· How about you walk the dog or walk around the neighbourhood
· Don’t drive, just walk!
Just like running, walking is counted as a cardio, including power walks and hilly hikes. Research shows that intense-intensity running and moderate-intensity walking results in identical reductions in risk for high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Going on average or long walks helps you hit the proper speeds and inclines, letting you build up your overall energy and immune system. One of the biggest perks in walking regularly is that it reduces one’s risk of cardiovascular disease. Walking medium-long distances frequently enables you to maintain a healthy mind and embrace soundness in a positive way.
Because walking is a leisure activity, you get to know yourself better and of course stay distant especially during a pandemic. It is sort of relaxing listening to some neat music and loosening that anxiety while walking. Recent studies claim that walking increases creativity or “divergent thinking” in that people can generate creative ideas and explore diverse possible solutions to challenges they might be facing at work or in life. In this case, walking initiates the free circulation of ideas and thoughts that leads to something brilliant. When you engage your mind, then you boost your mood. Just like people who don’t underestimate walking say, they believe walking is a verified “mood booster.”
A 12-minute walk can potentially increase enthusiasm, vitality, alertness, and self-confidence as one article says. Ruminating over negative occurrences and dealing with any form of anxiety can be alleviated through walking. Walking is an effective way to exercise, especially when you hang out with pals. But because of the pandemic and the mandated social distancing rules, again, it is still a creative way of staying distant and a legit form of workout and strength builder. Whether you are an ardent runner or cyclist, the art of walking should be considered as a productive drill to help you burn more calories and stay fit. So, get those comfortable running shoes and walk the walk!
In the meantime, you can access my recent book Falling is Gift here -http://greybordersbooks.jigsy.com/tosin-ajogbeje
"Walk through life knowing that your mistakes are to teach you for a better tomorrow"- Tosin A.
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