Walking is one of most popular physical activities in modern world. In addition to being a fun activity, walking is a very beneficial action physically and psychologically as a result of many researches. We have tried to show 7 scientific benefits of walking in this article.
Going for a short brisk walk will make you feel better and also create a time to take a break from your daily rush and do aerobic exercise.
Another benefit of walking is that it helps you improve your mental and physical fitness. A University of Tennessee study shows that women who walk regularly have less body fat than women who lead a more sedentary lifestyle. Another reflection of this is that it reduces the risk of blood clotting and subsequently increases the quality of life.
Of course, the benefits are not limited to these…
1. Better Sleep
You’re probably hearing this for the first time, but one of the most effective ways to release serotonin in the body is walking. Likewise, serotonin is the most important factor in coping with stress. That’s why it’s not a bad idea to go for a walk when you’re feeling restless or anxious! Moreover, according to a study conducted at the University of Sao Paolo, it was observed that a group of people with insomnia problems improved their sleep quality thanks to walking and other types of aerobic exercise.
2. Morale
If you want to be happier and more energetic, let’s take you as follows; According to a study conducted at California State University, walking produces not only the hormone serotonin, but also endorphins. These two hormones, also known as the chemical formula of happiness, are secreted at the same time, creating the ideal mixture that will make you happier with benefits of walking.
“I know two ways to tie my shoes. One to make them look good and the other to walk better.”
– Robert Heinlein
3. Longevity
According to a study by the University of Michigan Medical School, individuals between the ages of 50 and 60 reduce their risk of death by 35% just by walking. According to a study conducted about benefits of walking at the German Saarland University, walking for 25 minutes a day extends life by an average of 7 years.
4. Memory
Another study conducted at the University of San Francisco reveals that walking significantly reduces age-related memory loss. To explain in detail; It was seen that 5000 participants aged 65 and under reduced memory loss by 17% by walking 3 kilometers a day.
5. Alzheimer’s
Today, a complete cure for Alzheimer’s disease, which we can define as the weakening of mental functions such as forgetfulness, has not yet been found. But there are some ways to prevent or delay the disease, and one of these methods is to exercise. A study conducted at the University of Virginia reveals that 70-year-old individuals who walk at least half a kilometer a day reduce their risk of developing Alzheimer’s by up to 50%.
6. Weight Balance
Accept it or not; We live in a world where appearance is very important. For most people, having a good and fit appearance has a very important place in terms of confidence and self-confidence. So we should consider benefits of walking. Therefore, walking, which is an aerobic exercise, shapes your body and does not involve the risk of injury, as it is a light exercise. For this reason, walking is a useful activity against many chronic ailments such as joint pain. Finally, walking accelerates fat burning. According to the report of The Journal of the American Dietetic Association, women who walk at least 5 hours a week have a significantly lower fat percentage than those who don’t.
7. Stress
Walking is a very important factor in the production of serotonin, endorphins and other happiness chemicals. As such, it must be said that walking is an excellent method to combat stress.
“When I came to the country, I could not walk; As I always say, I took great pleasure in learning how to walk in this land that I have never been to.”
– Alicia Moreau de Justo
There is ample scientific evidence that walking has many physical and psychological benefits. Especially in winter, all you need to do when sitting under the blanket is to encourage yourself to walk a little… Experts say that walking has a calming effect, improves mental functions and can even delay the onset of forgetfulness and dementia. It is never too late to start exercising, take a total of 150 minutes of walking a week and open the doors of a healthy and long life!
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