The Health Benefits of Walking

Walking is beneficial for so many reasons. It gets our heart pumping, our blood flowing, and it can be a great way to get some fresh air and relaxation. It’s one of the easiest forms of exercise, and the best thing is that walking is totally free and easy to do in most neighbourhoods. Walking has several health benefits that can make your overall quality of life better. Here are some of the main benefits.

An Easy Form of Exercise

Walking burns calories. Although it may not burn as many calories as a run or a HIIT workout, it’s still a great form of exercise that’s easy and accessible to those who are able bodied. An hour of walking burns around 300-600 calories, making it one of the many benefits of walking.

It’s Good for Your Heart

Heart disease and heart related conditions are some of the leading causes of death in the United States. Walking even just 30 minutes a day can reduce the risk of heart disease, according to the American Heart Association.

Builds Leg Muscles

Although you probably won’t see the same results you would weightlifting, walking can tone the legs and build muscles. Walking is a great place to start for those who are just starting a fitness routine. If you really want to see some definition in your legs, look for trails to walk that have hills or stairs and walk those regularly.

Decreases Stress

Walking is a great way to clear the mind and de-stress, especially if you’re able to get out in nature and walk. Taking a walk has been shown to decrease anxiety. If you’re walking for stress relief, take your walk at a leisurely pace making sure to take deep breaths as you walk. If you’re able to walk in nature that’s the best choice for stress relief since taking a walk in the woods has actually been proven to lower blood pressure and cortisol, which is the hormone that produces stress.