Our bodies were made for walking
Walking can lighten your mood and make you more self-aware.
Walkers tend to be healthier, fitter and stronger people who maintain a good mood and who are prevented from life-long deadly illnesses.
When last did you take a walk for longer than 15 minutes and do you recall how you felt afterwards? That is because walking has endless benefits like strengthening your bones and muscles, improving balance and coordination, preventing or managing conditions such as type two diabetes and of course, helping you maintain a healthy weight.
Walking improves the quality of your sleep too – a scientific research from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre in Seattle discovered that women between the ages of 50 and 75 who took one-hour walks in the mornings were more likely to relieve insomnia than women who did not walk. Strolling also enhances blood circulation, increases the heart rate, lowers blood pressure and strengthens your heart.
Thabisa Moilwa said she has realised how walking improved her breathing each day after her 60 minute hour walk.
“I started by walking for about 20 minutes a day, then my body adjusted to walking and I walked for 30 minutes, I felt like walking for longer than that as my body was used to walking and now I walk for at least an hour every morning. Sometimes I even run as I am fitter than I was before I started walking,” said Thabisa.
A study by the Carlifornia State University showed that walking releases natural painkilling endorphins into the body, boosting your mood, which benefits your emotional well-being. Pregnant women are also encouraged to take at least a 30-minute walk daily during pregnancy, as staying active is beneficial for both the mother-to-be and the baby.
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