How walking 15 minutes per day can change your body. When you’re stressed, you may need some time to clear your head, pace your thoughts or even calm yourself down. A nice long walk may be just what the doctor ordered. With that said, don’t be surprised if the next time you go see your doctor he or she hands you a prescription to walk. This simple activity has been touted as “the closest thing to a wonder drug,” DR. THOMAS FRIEDEN, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told Harvard Medical School.
1) Reduce The Risk Of Cardiovascular Issues
In a 2009 issue of HARVARD MEN’S HEALTH WATCH, walking was reported as extremely underrated. So to prove that hypothesis, scientists went through over 4,200 articles that had been published on walking between 1997-2007. Eighteen of the articles they found met their standards for quality. Each of the studies collected information of each of the participant’s walking habits and their cardiovascular risk habits which included age, alcohol use, and smoking. Each participant was followed for 11 years, and during those years, cardiovascular events and deaths were recorded. When the data was compiled at the end of the 11 years, scientists found that walking 2.5 hours a week (21 minutes a day) reduced cardiovascular events by 31% and cut out the risk of early death by 32%. That's a lot of numbers being thrown at you we know, but the point is this : walk more and your heart will thank you.
2) Battles Obesity.
Every individual contains weight-promoting genes, according to the HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL. One of the easiest ways to battle obesity is to try and cut those weight-promoting genes in half. So to determine how to do this, HARVARD researchers looked at 32 obesity-promoting genes in over 12,000 people. They found that participants who walked for about an hour a day cut the weight-promoting genes in half. In addition, there is a pair of studies from the UNIVERSITY OF EXTER that found that walking 15 minutes can also help curb sweet tooth cravings, which plays a significant part in obesity. So it turns out that getting out and walking around makes you less fat, who would have thunk it? Michelle Obama, eat your heart out.
3) Lowers Blood Pressure.
If you have high blood pressure, a nice calming walk may be just what you need. Researchers from ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY would agree. They conducted a study on the association between walking and lower blood pressure, and they found that just 10 minutes of walking per day was effective in helping lower blood pressure. If you were to walk 15-20 minutes, you’re increasing your odds even more of reducing your blood pressure. Other health benefits of walking can be weight loss and the feeling that you're getting some good exercise. And everyone knows exercise is the best, right viewers?
4) Boost Memory.
It’s evident that exercise is great for the brain and for your health since serotonin binds with the brain’s receptors. But walking can help boost the memory, according to a 2011 study published by THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. The study found that participants who would walk 40 minutes a week, which could be stretched out to three to four times per week, has the potential to increase hippocampus activity by 2%, which is significant.
5) Eases Joint Pain.
Physical therapist ERIC ROBERTSON told WebMD that for osteoarthritis (OA), the cartilage acts as a shock absorber, especially in your knees, and can become damaged or worn down.
6) Curb Stress Eating.
LYNDI COHEN, of the Nude Nutritionists, explained to the Daily Mail that going for a walk is the simplest thing to do in order to combat stress eating.
7) Boosts Metabolism.
Speaking of curbing eating, walking every now and again is great for your metabolism. Think about it, the more you exercise, the more you burn energy.
8) Stronger Legs.
We've talked a lot about reducing the risk of things, or of losing things, but we've hardly talked about all the things you can gain from walking.
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