Spring has arrived and we have all had a crazy winter. We have been in various degrees of isolation and huge changes in our daily lives. So now it is spring, a time of rebirth and looking forward. As we begin to venture outside, armed with our masks and gloves, we are trying to navigate how to move forward. Group activites are still limited, but there is an activity we have been doing and can continue to do….walking. We walked to get out of our houses, we walked for exercise, we walked to breathe fresh air. We walked because it was the only thing we could do. Did you know that there are surprising benefits of walking beyond the simple obvious ones? Here at BRD Sport we have always tried to share fitness, health and lifestyle opportunities. Little did most of us know that simply walking can change our lives for the better. Harvard Health Publishing from the Harvard Medical School came out with a list that I want to share with all of you. You probably knew that any physical activity, including walking, is a boon to your overall health. But did you know that walking in particular comes with a specific list that will surprise you.
- It counteracts the effects of weight-promoting genes. Harvard researchers looked at 32 obesity-promoting genes in over 12,000 people to determine how much these genes actually contribute to body weight. They discovered that among the participants who walked briskly for about an hour a day, the effects of those genes were cut in half!
- It reduces the craving of sweets. A study in University of Exeter found that a 15 minute walk curbed cravings for chocolate and even reduced the amount of chocolate you would choose to eat in a stressful situation.
- It reduces the risk of developing breast cancer. An American Cancer study found that women that walked 7 hours a week compared to women who walked 3 hours a week had a 14% lower risk of breast cancer.
- It eases joint pain. Walking 5 -6 miles a week can even prevent arthritis from forming in the first place. Walking protects the joints, especially the knees and hips, by lubricating and strengthening the muscles that surround them. Walking several miles can reduce the pain from arthritis.
- It boosts immune function. Walking can help protect you during cold and flu season. A study of over 1000 men and women found those who walked at least 20 minutes a day, 5 days a week, hat 43% fewer sick days than those who exercised once a week or less.
In simples terms walking helps us with our cardio vascular fitness, strengthens bones, reduces excess body fat, boosts muscles power and endurance, and reduces risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and some cancers. I bet when you went for a walk to get out of isolation you had no idea how much you were helping yourselves and how easy it was!
So take a friend or go alone and enjoy the signs of spring blooming everywhere around you and know you are doing great things for yourself. Try to do it on a regular basis. Find a place you like to be: a park, around a lake, a trail, a street, anyplace you enjoy. You don’t need to speed walk, just walk regularly and take in the views!
If you want to know more about the powers of walking, just google “benefits of walking” and there will be a lot of information available for you.