As we all know, doing nothing is doing something however, many of us need some support to simply get moving (whatever that may be for you).
Walking is one of the simplest and most effective ways to improve your health and well-being. It can help you burn calories, strengthen your muscles, lower your blood pressure, reduce stress, and boost your mood.
According to Jamie Davis Smith with Yahoo Life, here is what some of the studies say about walking:
It may reduce the risk of dementia. A study published in JAMA Neurology found that taking 9,800 steps may be “optimal” to lower the risk of developing dementia. However, the study found that taking as few as 3,800 steps per day may lower the risk of dementia by 25%.
Walking may help you live longer. A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that older women taking about 4,400 steps per day had a 41% lower risk of dying. Another study, this one published in JAMA Network Open, found that taking 7,000 steps a day was linked to a 50% to 70% lower risk of mortality. Yet another study, this one published in Nature, found that walking briskly for as little as 10 minutes a day may lower your biological age by 16 years and help you live up to 20 years longer.
It can reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer. A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine showed that taking up to 10,000 steps a day may lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer and that there was no clear benefit to taking more than 10,000 steps.
It may help with high blood pressure. According to a study published in PeerJ, walking 300 minutes a week reduces high blood pressure.
Walking may help you sleep better. A study published in the Sleep Health Journal showed that taking an additional 2,000 steps a day can improve the duration and quality of sleep.
It can improve your mental health. Walking can reduce anxiety and depression, relieve stress and lessen negative emotions, according to a study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
It can help strengthen your bones. Taking a brisk walk for at least 30 minutes a day as little as three days a week can help improve bone density and prevent osteoporosis, according to a study published in PLoS One.
Walking can help lower type 2 diabetes risk. A study published by the American Diabetes Association found that the risk of developing type 2 diabetes went down with every additional 2,000 steps taken.
Walking is also good for your brain, as it can improve your memory, creativity, and cognitive function. But walking is not only good for you, it can also be fun and enjoyable. You can walk with your friends, family, or pets, explore new places, listen to music, or even tell jokes. Here's one for you: Why did the chicken cross the road? Walk and you will find out! 😂