Regular exercise vital is for maintaining good health. I’ve seen this firsthand during my years as a practicing Physical Therapist. While there are many options for getting active, one of the easiest and most accessible is simply walking. This low-impact form of exercise offers a range of benefits for people of all ages and fitness levels. In this blog post, I’ll explore some of the surprising ways that walking can improve your health, from reducing your risk of chronic disease to boosting your mood and mental clarity.
Helps Maintain a Healthy Weight
Walking is a great way to burn calories and improve your body composition. According to the American Heart Association, a brisk walk at a moderate pace can burn up to 300 calories per hour. It can also help you build lean muscle, which increases your metabolism and makes it easier to maintain a healthy weight in the long run.
Reduces the Risk of Chronic Disease
Walking regularly can reduce your risk of developing chronic diseases like heart disease, type-2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. For example, research has shown that just 30 minutes of walking per day can significantly decrease the risk of heart disease. Walking can also help manage blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, reducing their risk of complications.
Improves Mood and Mental Clarity
In addition to its physical benefits, walking can also have a positive impact on your mental health. Regular exercise has been linked to lower rates of depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline. Walking outdoors in particular can reduce stress and improve your mood by providing a change of scenery and exposure to natural light.
Lowers Inflammation and Improves Immune Function
Inflammation plays a role in many chronic diseases, from arthritis to Alzheimer’s. Walking has been shown to reduce inflammation in the body, potentially helping to prevent or manage these conditions. Walking can also boost immune function, helping your body to fight off infections and illnesses.
Improves Joint Health and Balance
Finally, walking is a low-impact exercise that can improve joint health and balance, particularly in older adults. It can help reduce the risk of falls and improve overall functional mobility. Walking also strengthens the muscles surrounding your joints, potentially reducing the risk of injury.
Walking is one of the easiest and most accessible forms of exercise. It offers a range of benefits for your health. From reducing the risk of chronic disease to improving mood and mental clarity, incorporating regular walks into your routine can help improve your overall well-being. So whether you’re taking a stroll around your neighborhood or hitting the trails, lace up your shoes and start reaping the benefits of walking today.
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TOP 10 REASONS TO CHOOSE PT FIRST
Do more than mask the pain, reduce or eliminate it.
Exercise and manual therapy (including soft tissue and joint mobilizations) can help relieve pain, restore mobility and function and help reduce or eliminate pain. Pain is often cyclical and can be minimized or eliminated with musculoskeletal mobility.
Learn how to help treat yourself and become empowered with your care
There really isn’t a magic wand at PT! A Physical Therapist will do more than just address your injury or involved body part. We will look at you as a whole person and empower you with your care, giving you plenty of education and ways you can help yourself.
Become more active!
Learn to care for your body instead of suffer. There are so many studies that show that activity for 30 minutes per day helps to maintain healthy systems, from head to toe. A Physical Therapist promotes total health and wellness and can often be a good motivator to get you on track with your goals!
Prevent surgery
Often times, musculoskeletal injuries can be treated by PT and you can avoid surgery all together. The key is to get to know a PT soon after an injury so your pain and limitations do not become irreversible. Talk with your physician ASAP!
Free Community Education Seminar: Hip and Knee Pain
Join us for Hip and Knee Pain - the next seminar in our Free Community Education Series. This interactive seminar will feature Robert Sherman, MD of Upstate Orthopedics and Onondaga Physical Therapy's Taryn Bader, PT.
