We all know exercise is an essential part of health and wellness. But what make walking particularly powerful and why should you prioritize it throughout your day?
Let’s start with a few of the basics. Walking is shown to reduce risk for chronic disease and improve heart health. Research shows that increasing your step count directly correlates to lower blood pressure and even a simple 2 minute walk after meals can lower blood sugar.
Beyond the impact on chronic disease, walking plays an important role in mental health. Walking is shown to reduce the stress hormone, cortisol, resulting in decreased feelings of stress and anxiety. Feeling the afternoon slump or struggling to make an important decision? Research show a brisk walk may be all you need to get back on track.
Lastly, walking has positive impact on individuals with both weight loss and muscle building goals. Not only is walking an accessible, low impact movement but it is shown to increase your metabolism and offers the benefit of energy expenditure without the subsequent spike in appetite that often occurs following higher intensity cardio exercise. Walking also improves insulin sensitivity which supports muscle growth when combined with strength training.
Little is required to reap the benefits from walking outside of consistency and frequency. One of the best parts about walking is that it is a free. easily accessible exercise for most people and can be incorporated throughout the day in small increments as well as sustained over a longer period of time.
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