“Walking is a man’s best medicine”, said Hippocrates over 2,000 years ago.
Growing scientific evidence is proving this to be true. A study carried out at the University of Cambridge found that after researching 334,000 people, just 20 minutes of walking a day cuts the risk of premature death by almost a third.
Public Health England (PHE) found that 4 in 10 middle-aged adults (6 million Britons) are failing to manage even one brisk 10-minute walk a month! That’s 6 million Britons who are increasing their risk of potentially fatal illnesses. We need to work together to change this statistic.
Walking is a great way to increase your exercise and activity, it is easy to do and a good time to catch up with friends, or even plug your earphones in and take a phone call. It reduces stress in a number of ways, including, giving you time to think and breathe, boosting endorphins and increasing your energy in a non-stressful environment.
Author of ‘The Doctor on Demand Diet’ Melina B. Jampolis, MD, says that going for a regular walk is one of the best and easiest things that you can do for your health, reducing the risk of many chronic diseases.
Take a look at the benefits of walking:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Strengthen bones, muscles and joints
- Improves mood
- Improves balance and coordination
- Boosts feel good endorphins
- Reduces stress
- Improves sleep
- Increases energy levels
- Tones muscles
- Reduces the risk of a stroke
- Slowing mental decline
- Increases self esteem
- Allows time to think
- Increases social activity
- Reduces the risk of high blood pressure
- Reduced chance of injury
- Easy to do – you just need a pair of trainers
- Chance to get outside and have some fresh air and explore new places
- Increases your life span
According to research by Fitbit, a 10,000 step goal per day is a great place to start, keeping you physically active, and giving you a goal to aim towards.