The Benefits of Walking

Since college, I enjoy walking from home going to school and vice versa because the university where I attended college is just a10-15 minute walk away from home. I walk in the morning, especially during 9 a.m. classes, I walk back home during early breaks and lunchtime, oftentimes I do it even when the sun is scorching hot. And I also walk home after my afternoon classes and whenever class ends before 7 p.m. During those times I have to endure because the money that my mom gives is just enough for snacks and to pay for the tricycle fare back and forth. But I have to save money because we have a lot of paper works to do and most of the time, we are asked to have a photocopy of a book since we can't borrow it from the library for a long period of time.

Those are the reasons why instead of riding a public transportation, I choose to walk instead. But during those times, I experienced mockery and the likes. There are several tricycle drivers who will shout at me telling me "Hoy naglalakad ka naman ang init init" (Hey you keep on walking again, it's too hot), "Sumakay ka na kasi madam, iitim ka niyan, sayang ang puti mo pa naman" (Why don't you just take a ride ma'am, you'll become dark-skined, you're wasting your fair skin.) And the annoyed me will just answer "Hayaan mo kuya balang araw makaka graduate din ako sa kakalakad ko" (Don't worry, I'll graduate one day because I kept on walking).

Since then, I became used to walking and I prefer to walk to my destination rather than wasting my money on fare. Even now that I'm already working, and I have enough money for fare, I still prefer to walk and people here are still in awe every time they see me walking. Sometimes I thought that they are probably not used to seeing a pretty lady who's fond of walking lol. One time I even kidded a tricycle driver that the secret to getting a fair skin is walking under the heat of the sun. I told him to look at the other ladies my age who doesn't like to walk and see the difference, without noticing the sarcasm, he just laughed and told me that I'm either using a whitening soap or probably born a 'mestiza', and the answer is the latter.

Me and my college friends walking from town going to our university.

Oftentimes, when others see a person walking they'd think that the person is poor or doesn't have money to pay for the fare. But that is not always the reason. There are several reasons why walking is good and in this article I will discuss few of the benefits of walking.

It can be a medicine.

Have you heard of the saying 'laughing is the best medicine'?, if you do, then I want you to know that 'walking is a good medicine' too!

According to a magazine I read before, Hippocrates, an ancient Greek physician even viewed walking as “man’s best medicine.” There is even an adage that says, “I have two doctors, my left leg and my right.”

Is there even an evidence that walking is a medicine? Well, according to studies, the people who consistently walks may reduce the risk of getting illnesses compared to those who don't.

Walking can reduce the risk of getting a heart disease and suffering from stroke. I heard a story from an old lady I met before, she's already over 90 years old and when asked about the secret to living a longer life, she said that she just loves walking.

Here are few excerpts from different studies about the benefits of walking:

University of California. Researchers from this University found out that a 15-minute walk brings more relief from anxiety and tension than a mild tranquilizer! Like other physical activities, walking triggers the release of endorphins, brain chemicals that relieve pain and stimulate relaxation, producing a sense of calm and well-being.

The Medical Post of Canada also states that a leisurely stroll can produce health benefits.

The New England Journal of Medicine. A study was published there, and it says that walking as little as half a mile [800 m] a day reduces mortality. Recent studies suggest that exercising three times in a day, for 10 minutes each time, will do you almost as much good as exercising continuously for 30 minutes.

You can save money.

Another benefit of walking is being able to save money. Unlike other activities such as running and biking, you don't have to spend your money on buying running shoes, a bicycle and other equipment needed for safety and to become physically fit. You can even walk with your regular clothes on and a pair of slippers! And of course, you can save so much money on fare!

Here are some do's and dont's in walking. I don't own these ideas and only read it on a magazine which I want to share with you in this article.

● Walk tall, with your chin up (parallel to the ground), focusing 20 feet [6 m] ahead

● Maintain a moderate pace. Remember that it is walking, not running or jogging. Do not walk too fast that you almost become out of breath.

● If you want to walk faster, making quick and short steps is better than making elongated steps.

● Swing arms front to back, with elbows close to the body. Avoid swinging your arms from side to side.

● Don’t land flat-footed. Roll through each step, and push off with your toes.

● Don’t feel obliged to carry weights. These throw off natural walking movements and can strain ligaments and tendons.

If you are the type to not enjoy walking, why not try to do it the next time and reap the benefits of walking!