Walking To A Better Health

Physical inactivity has led to many health problems, physically or mentally.  It increases all causes of mortality, double the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity, and increase the risks of colon cancer, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, lipid disorders, depression and anxiety. At Healthworks, physical inactivity is a leading cause for neck and low back pain. With today’s technology, we no longer have the need to move. Everything that we want is just a click away and will arrive to our doorstep within a few minutes. Walking which is a simple yet easily forgotten exercise, helps us to combat physical inactivity. So here are few health benefits that walking can help.

Walking which is a cardio exercise, helps to improve the function of the cardiovascular system. It works like beta-blocker medication to slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure (at rest and also when exercising). Next, it improves the muscles’ ability to draw oxygen from the circulating blood. This reduces the need for the heart—a muscular organ itself—to work harder to pump more blood to the muscles, whatever your age.

Walking is also a great exercise and helps you lose weight. American scientists designed an experiment where obese patients walked together (a concept known as the ‘walking bus’) to their destinations in and around the city. After 8 weeks, their weight was checked, and more than 50% of the participants lost an average of 5 pounds. Therefore, it might be a good idea to start walking to and from your nearby destinations, instead of driving your car.

Cancer is prevalent amongst people who have a sedentary lifestyle. Scientists have found that walking can help in weight loss, thereby reducing the risk of cancer. Walking has been found to be helpful for those undergoing cancer treatment by reducing the side effects of chemotherapy. It can also lower the risk of breast cancer.

By walking an average of 30 minutes a day, you will be able to maintain your day-to-day functional capabilities. Most people with chronic pain who are not engaged with any form of exercises are usually limited in their functions.  Walking like other exercises increases the endorphin production in your body. Endorphins inhibit your pain by binding to the opioid receptors in your brain, and they work similar to opioid pain medications like oxycodone or morphine. This means that walking not only helps you maintain your functional capabilities, but it can also reduce your experience of chronic lower back pain.

Lastly, working out in a gym or going to specific gym class might cost you, walking however is an exercise which doesn’t require any monetary expenses. All it needs is your time. You can do it on your own time and you can do it mostly anywhere which allows you to walk.

If you have any question based on this article, feel free to WhatsApp us at 018-9828539 or visit us at our website at www.myhealthworks.com.my.