In today’s fast-paced world, finding the time and energy to stay healthy can feel like a challenge.
But what if boosting your energy, improving your mood and reducing your risk of chronic diseases could be as simple as taking a walk?
For many Australians, walking has become a go-to activity to break up the routine of working from home, to spend quality time with family, or simply to slap on some sun protection and soak up some much-needed vitamin D.
The power of walking
Walking is a great way to boost your health. Research from the Heart Foundation reveals that walking briskly for just 30 minutes each day can significantly lower the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes by 30% to 40%. This simple, low-impact activity offers tremendous health benefits with minimal effort, proving that sometimes, the simplest solutions are the most effective.
The multifaceted health benefits of walking
Walking is good for more than just your heart. Regular walks can help reduce stress, improve digestion, boost balance and coordination, and even strengthen your bones.
If you’re looking to manage your weight, a brisk daily walk can be a game-changer. Combined with a balanced diet, walking can help you lose those extra kilos and maintain a healthy weight over time.
Starting your walking journey
If you’re new to walking or haven’t done it in a while, start slow. Find a friend or family member to walk with or join a local walking group. Walking with others can make it more fun and keep you motivated.
Lowering blood pressure and cholesterol
According to the Heart Foundation, around 42% of Australians have high cholesterol, and 1 in 4 adults deal with high blood pressure. Walking can help manage these heart conditions.
Research indicates that every 1,000 steps taken daily can reduce systolic blood pressure by approximately 0.45 points. So, aiming for 10,000 steps a day—about 1.5 hours of walking—could lower your blood pressure by 2.25 points. Remember, talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise routine.
Walking also improves your cholesterol levels. Regular brisk walks boost good cholesterol (HDL) and reduce absorption of triglycerides. However, lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) typically requires a healthy diet and weight loss.
Mental health and social wellbeing
Walking isn’t just good for your body—it’s great for your mind too. A daily 30-minute walk can help to lower stress, ease anxiety and make you feel happier. For older adults, walking helps stay connected with others, improve coordination and reduce the risk of falls and fractures.
Take the first step
Incorporating walking into your daily routine is a simple yet effective way to boost your energy, improve your health and enhance your overall wellbeing. Whether you’re aiming to reduce your risk of chronic diseases, manage your weight or simply improve your mood, taking a walk could be the best decision you make today.
This blog article was supported by AI generation and, while intended to be helpful, should not be relied upon as individual health advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before making health decisions. The accuracy, completeness, or recency of the information cannot be guaranteed and we cannot be held responsible for any loss incurred from acting on this information. Content developed in partnership with Health and Wellbeing Queensland.
Information source: https://hw.qld.gov.au/blog/health-benefits-of-walking
