Walking outside is one of the best exercises you can do. Walking does everything from lowering your blood pressure to decreasing your risk of depression. And with apps like Sweatcoin and Lifecoin you can even get paid to walk. You're guaranteed to be racing to get outside once you read through this list!
Walking Makes You Happier
Although getting outside may not be so fun, after you actually get outside and start walking you start to feel that you accomplished something. Walking outside signals your body to release endorphins, which can improve your mood and make you more positive. As you log your steps and miles your body releases endorphins such as serotonin and dopamine. In turn those chemicals lift your mood and give you a “natural high”. Research shows that people who participate in outdoor activity get more satisfaction and more enjoyment than from any indoor exercise program.
Walking Lowers Your Blood Pressure
As you walk your heart pumps faster and pumps more blood. Over time your heart becomes able to pump more blood faster which then lowers your blood pressure. In one study women who walked just 2 miles a day saw an 11 point drop in their blood pressure! Another study showed that having a regular walking regimen can decrease your risk of a heart attack by 35%!
Walking lowers your risk of lung cancer
Routinely walking has been proven to lower your chances of getting lung cancer by up to 30%. Walking can even decrease the chance of getting lung cancer in smokers. You don’t need to avoid exercise even if you have experienced exercise-induced asthma. You just need to find a way to do the right exercise in the right conditions. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology says walking, swimming, golfing and biking, is the best way to exercise if you have sports induced asthma. If you have sports induced asthma, you should be looking for activities you can do in warm weather and don’t require a large amount of endurance. Although, you should not be walking outside for an extended period of time if the area you live in is highly polluted.
Walking can strengthen your bones
Bone density is probably not one of the most exciting health benefits of walking, but it is probably one of the most important ones. People with stronger bones tend to have a lower chance of getting osteoporosis and the many other problems that come with osteoporosis like fractures, disability, and spine shrinkage. One of the best ways to get yourself strong, healthy bones is by doing weight-bearing exercises such as running, dancing and of course, walking. Researchers have also found that people that routinely walk for more than six months had significantly better bone density and hip density.
Walking makes you feel more creative
Ran out of ideas? You should take a quick walk around the block. Whether you need a solution to a homework problem, work out a kink in a piece of code, or you’re looking for inspiration for your novel, walking almost always gets your creative juices flowing. Research has shown that people who are up and moving around are more likely to be creative than people who are sitting down. One study by Stanford University found that walking outdoors can boost creative output by up to 60 percent. The creative boost you get from walking even can last hours after the walk itself. Spending time outdoors is a great way to get your creative juices flowing
Walking can reduce stress levels
We all live in a very stressful world where it seems like we can’t get away. And that takes a serious toll on your mental and your physical health. Luckily, walking has been proven as one of the fastest, most useful ways to calm down. According to a study by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, something as simple as a 10-minute outdoor walk does the exact same thing as a 45-minute workout, at least in terms of reducing anxiety and depression. Walking outdoors gets cortisol ( Also known as the “stress hormone”), out of your system and also helps stop the flow of never-ending worries floating around in your mind.
Walking can help you sleep better
Getting a solid eight hours of sleep every night is probably one of the most important things you can do to help your health. But sometimes that’s easier said than done. Luck for you, a daily walk is all that you need. The Sleep Foundation has found that people who participated in activities such as walking and running on a daily basis, fell asleep more quickly, slept longer, and had much better quality sleep than those who did strenuous exercises or lifted weights.
Walking instead of going to a gym can save you money
Fitness can be very, very pricey! It costs a lot of money for a gym membership, home exercise equipment, workout clothes, and shoes. Everything adds up, but does it really have to? Walking requires absolutely nothing to start doing, you don’t even need shoes! But walking on a daily basis still provides great health benefits. And not only does it save you money on things like a gym membership or exercise equipment, it also saves you money in the healthcare industry. According to a study by the Journal of the American Heart Association, those who exercised regularly saved very large amounts of money when it comes to healthcare costs compared to those who didn’t meet the minimum weekly exercise requirements set by there health insurer (30 minutes or more of moderate to intense aerobic activity five days a week, or at least 25 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity three days a week).