Benefits of Walking

There is a sport that is accessible to all and has many unsuspected benefits. Indeed, some people even hesitate to call this discipline a “sport,” and yet! It is an excellent way to maintain physical fitness when practised regularly. As you may have guessed, this is about walking.

Read on to discover 6 benefits of walking and what the experts recommend to get the most out of it.

Walking: an accessible sport

It is undoubtedly its simplicity of execution and accessibility that makes walking such a beneficial activity. In fact, a walk fits well into most schedules, even the busiest ones. Going for a walk with the dog, walking during lunchtime or doing a nature walk are all ways to incorporate this activity into our daily lives.

In addition, walking is gentle on the body and can be practised by people of all physical fitness levels. All you need is a good pair of comfortable shoes! Alone or with your family, in nature or in the city… Walking is more than easy to practise on a regular basis!

6 reasons to make walking part of your daily life

The benefits of walking have been documented by several studies. Both our physical and psychological health can benefit from it! Below discover 6 important benefits of walking.

• Combating sedentary lifestyles: For people who have to spend long hours in front of a desk at work or those who have difficulty incorporating physical activity into their habits, walking helps to reverse the effects of sedentary lifestyles. In fact, regular walking activates muscles and improves balance, while contributing to the health of several parts of the body.
• Improving muscle tone and joint health: By strengthening the muscles in the legs and helping to lubricate their joints, walking actively contributes muscle tone and joint health.
• Good for the heart: Walking, as with all sports, activates cardiovascular functions and helps oxygenate the brain and body. Walking would thus help to lower blood pressure and minimize the incidence of certain cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases.
• More energy and better sleep: In addition to helping fight insomnia, regular physical activity such as walking considerably increases energy levels during the day since it optimizes many of our body’s functions, helping it to better concentrate its energy where it counts the most.
• A better immune system: Sports in general activate the body’s immune functions, helping it to better fight viruses and bacteria to prevent infections. Also, if you get sick, you tend to recover more quickly when you are in good shape.
• Good for morale: In addition to its many physical health benefits, walking is also psychologically beneficial. Indeed, physical activities boost the production of endorphins, which are the hormones of happiness. Moreover, it’s a well-known fact that sports are one of the best remedies against stress!

Prescription: 150 minutes of walking per week

Experts agree that to get the most out of walking, it should be practised for a minimum of 150 minutes a week. That’s 30 minutes of walking at least 5 times a week to get all the physical and psychological benefits.

Don’t let joint pain prevent you from walking on a regular basis! Genacol’s vast range of natural products can help you manage your pain and maintain your joint health.

So, what are you waiting for to put on your best shoes?