The Benefits of Walking
Do you want to better your mental and physical health in a cost-effective way? Walking has amazing benefits. With the summer here, it can be a great time to try something new. Heavy lifting and / or sports may not be for everyone, but walking is a great alternative.
Adding time for walking into your daily routine will allow you to live a healthier lifestyle. Taking care of yourself now will also help you as you grow older. It is recommended that teens get at least 1 hour (60 minutes) of exercise a day. Getting around 10,000 steps a day is the goal and recommended by experts but start where you feel most comfortable. That can be walking a mile or for 30 minutes and then building it up from there.
The benefits of walking are:
- Lowers your risk of heart disease
- Lowers your risk of type 2 diabetes
- Lowers your risk of high blood pressure
- Will boost your mood and energy levels
- Walking and / or exercising releases endorphins (a hormone your body releases during a pleasurable activity)
- Helps manage stress
- Fights anxiety and depression
- Increases enthusiasm and optimism
- Stronger bones
Things to Remember:
- Stay hydrated
- Do not walk during the peak of the sun (the sun is the strongest between 10 am – 4pm)
- Wear sunscreen, hat and / or sunglasses
- Wear comfortable clothes and shoes
- Only walk in safely lit and populated areas for safety reasons
- Share your location with someone you can trust
If you do not know where to start try walking a mile after school, or a mile on the treadmill before dinner. If you have a pet that needs to be taken on daily walks, take it with you, or a friend! Get a walking pad for indoor use and use it while doing work or watching tv. Try different ways so walking can become part of your daily routine!
