7 Ways Life Changes When You Walk 30 Minutes a Day
By Sandy Schroeder
It seems too easy, but slipping on your tennis shoes and walking 30 minutes a day could be the best way to get major mental and physical benefits, according to health experts. So what happens?
You May Smile or Laugh More
Just being outdoors, getting your share of Vitamin D, and moving rather than sitting, can ease the most intense day. Researchers on Prevention.com say walking soothes the nervous system to reduce tension. If you add a friend or neighbor, it gets even better. Some people say walking has the same effect as sipping a glass of wine or nibbling a piece of chocolate. No wonder you feel like smiling.
You Get to Shop for New Jeans
There’s no better feeling than loose jeans. Experts say walking helps the body handle insulin to reduce belly fat. It’s a natural. You get to enjoy the outdoors instead of being stuck on a treadmill as you build muscle and lose weight.
Ideas Just Keep Popping Up
I have a friend who always goes for a walk when she gets stuck in a project. She says she usually finds a solution as she walks. One study compared the creative thinking of sitters and walkers and found that walkers always did better. I think walking pushes a mental button. The minute my feet hit the ground my brain goes to work.
The Risk of Serious Disease Drops
The numbers generated by regular walkers are very convincing. Researchers say walking cuts the risk of stroke 20 to 40 percent and lowers blood pressure by 11 points. At the same time, regular walkers reduce their risk of heart disease by 30 percent.
Your Legs Are Winners
Legs wind up looking and functioning better. Walking helps leg circulation push blood back to the heart and walking to keep the body healthy. Walking also helps reduce varicose and spider veins.
Your Whole System Works Better
Walking uses core and stomach muscles that stimulate the digestive system. In addition to building muscle and shedding stress, your whole system wakes up to function better.
Walking Helps Build More Habits
Once you have established a daily walking routine, you may find it is easier to add more healthy habits. Walking may provide the foundation that you have been seeking. Once you are convinced walking works, it just seems logical to keep right on going.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.