10 Awesome Walking Benefits
It’s almost always walking weather here on St. Simons Island, but if you need a little nudge to get out there walking in your neck of the woods (even if that means walking in place in front of the TV or up and down some stairs until the weather is more walkable), here are some great reasons to give yourself the gift of a daily walk:
- Walking boosts your creativity. If you’re stuck on a creative project, walk away and let that next step come to you. (I do this ALL the time!)
- Walking lifts your mood. Walking promotes the release of endorphins, opiate-like brain chemicals that stimulate relaxation, reduce stress and fight depression. The fact that walking is just plain fun helps lift your mood, too!
- Walking ramps up your energy. Walking increases blood flow so that oxygen and nutrients can reach the large muscles in the legs as well as the brain, which makes you feel more energized.
- Walking helps you sleep better. Walking in the morning means you’ll have a sounder sleep at night, in part because exposure to early daylight helps your body maintain its natural sleep patterns.
- Walking strengthens your immune system. Walking 20 minutes per day 5 days a week can boost your immune system by increasing blood flow, reducing stress and inflammation, and increasing antibodies.
- Walking helps your joints. Walking protects the joints, especially the knees and hips, which are the most susceptible to osteoarthritis, by lubricating them and strengthening the muscles that support them.
- Walking helps you reach and maintain a healthy weight. Walking increases your heart rate so you expend more energy. It also helps you add muscle mass, which helps you burn more calories.
- Walking helps ease your pain. Walking warms up your muscles, helping them move more easily. It can also increase production of the neurotransmitters that reduce pain.
- Walking improves heart health. Your heart is a muscle and walking makes it stronger. Walking just over a mile a day at a moderate pace 5 days a week has been found to reduce your chance of a heart attack or other cardiovascular event by 31 percent.
- Walking helps you live longer. Many studies have linked regular brisk walking to a longer life expectancy. So walk on to live long!
So I guess it’s basically move it or lose it! And now Katrina and the Waves are singing “Walking on Sunshine” in my head, and I’m ready to hit the beach again.
If you need some more walking inspiration—and some fun—reading or rereading the four books in my The Wildwater Walking Club series might be just the thing!
Talk to you soon!
CLAIRE COOK wrote her first book in her minivan at 45. At 50, she walked the red carpet at the Hollywood premiere of Must Love Dogs, starring Diane Lane and John Cusack, which is now an 8-book series. Claire is the New York Times, USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author of 23 fun and inspiring books for 40-to-forever women, including Life Glows On: Reconnecting with Your Creativity to Make the Rest Of Your Life the Best of Your Life. Get your free gift at ClaireCook.com.
