It is thought that walking is more powerful than we think.
According to a Harvard Health report published in 2017: walking an estimated 21 minutes a day can reduce your risk of heart disease by 30%. According to the report, walking reduces the risk of diabetes and cancer, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, and keeps you mentally sharp.
Walking has many health benefits and is a free workout that doesn't require any equipment or planning.
Here are a few other reasons to walk and some advice on how to incorporate more of it into your day.
Dr. Tamanna Singh is a co-director of the sports cardiology center at Cleveland Clinic.
While walking isn't associated with the same kind of energy exertion as a spin class or interval run, it's still valuable and can help people of all ages and health background better their health outcomes.
Singh believes anyone can benefit from walking. She said that people who have minimal or no cardiovascular risk can use walking to reach their health goals and prevent future strokes.
According to a Harvard Health report, if your doctor gives you a prescription to walk, don't be surprised.
21 minutes may be the magic number, but short walks each day are beneficial. The picture was taken by Sawitree Pamee and EyeEm.
There are some disadvantages to working from your living room or kitchen. Sitting all day can affect our bodies over time because of the current work-from- home lifestyle.
Harvard evolutionary biology professor Dan Lieberman told HuffPost that sitting is bad for you. Sitting too much is bad for you if you don't exercise.
Singh said that walking in any capacity keeps you from sitting for long periods of time.
Singh said that going for a walk with friends is a great way to create accountability.
Singh said that each of them would hold each other accountable for sticking to their walking habits.
You don't have to task your friends with fast paced walks. If you walk with a friend, you will get some enjoyable conversation and laughter.
Singh said that if you are more of a solo exerciser, you should save a good audiobook or soundtrack for your walks.
You can only listen to these things when you walk.
Singh said that it would get you excited to go on a walk and that you would get the reward of listening to your favorite song.
Your walk will be more interesting if you turn on your favorite show. The image is courtesy of Sol Stock.
Life is busy between work and family responsibilities. It might not be possible to take time for yourself right now. Start small if you can't walk the recommended 21 minutes a day.
According to the report, even a quick one-minute jaunt pays off. A study from the University of Utah found that for every minute of brisk walking that women did throughout the day, they lowered their risk of being obese.
Start small, that's what. Take that 10-minute work check-in call as you walk around your block, or just walk down your driveway for a minute or two. There is no shortage of time.
Singh said you can start incorporating different walking distances and intensities once you feel ready. She said that maintaining a consistent habit will yield the biggest bang for its buck.
You can also find it on HuffPost.
The article was first published on HuffPost.
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