Walking For General Health
Walking is a healthy activity that is a necessary part of almost everyone’s day, and if we commit to doing more of it every day there are very real health benefits. Most people don’t think of walking as a valid form of exercise, but the surprise is that its an incredible way to take care of our hearts and body without having to invest in a gym membership. No matter where you are you can almost always get out to do a little walking, and the benefits are ones that can extend your life.
The Benefits Of Walking
Most forms of exercise require us to use specific types of equipment or to have sufficient space to make the exercise possible. Walking is one of the few that doesn’t require any form of equipment, nor does it require you to get out and pound your knees to jelly running. Walking can help keep your body limber and your joints capable of moving freely, other benefits of walking include:
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Healthy weight goals are easy to reach with walking, if you do it consistently.
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Heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes 2 all respond exceptionally well to walking.
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As you walk your bones and muscles will grow stronger, firmer, and healthier.
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Balance and coordination have been shown to improve in response to a regular routine of walking.
These benefits are all from doing something you do every day anyway, you just have to do a little more of it. It doesn’t require an active daily walk either. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk to the convenience store rather than driving, all of these are great ways to get more walking in your day.
Techniques For Walking
Like any form of exercise there are right and wrong ways to walk for health. While any walking is going to help your health, using the proper techniques will ensure that you get the most out of your daily walk. Below we’ve listed out the points that describe an excellent walking technique:
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Keep your head elevated, eyes forward, and watching where you’re walking.
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Keep your neck, back, and shoulders relaxed during your walk, allowing them to move freely.
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Keep your arms slightly bent and allow them to move freely while you’re in motion.
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Keep your stomach tight and your back upright, neither leaning forward nor back.
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Use a walking style that transitions from heel to toe to work with your body’s mechanics.
Following these steps will aid you in getting the best results from your walking routine. Every day you spend doing additional walking ensures that you will be both healthier and stronger. Research shows that doing at least two and a half hours of exercise a week will improve your overall health, provided that that exercise is aerobic in nature. Add a strength building regime that works all the major muscle groups of your body twice a week and you’ll be on the road to excellent health.
