Walking: the Ultimate Exercise!

We live in a culture that is so fast paced and hectic, it allows life to easily get on top of us. That’s why it’s a good idea to slow things down, to literally a ‘walking pace’.

Not only a great way to stay active and improve your fitness for free. Walking can have positive impact on your life. What’s more, because walking doesn’t involve the intensity of other forms of exercise, you don’t need to be remotely athletic to do it. No fancy equipment or expensive gym membership needed, you simply start by putting one foot in front of the other, that really all there is to it.

Walking wholeheartedly ties into our belief that the most effective exercises are often the simplest.

Slow and steady wins the race
You’d be hard pushed to find an exercise as convenient and effective as walking. And if money has been a barrier to exercising, that’s covered as well as walking truly embodies the mantra of being ‘cheap and cheerful’.

The benefits go further than you might at first think. In some cases, brisk walking can reduce your risk of heart disease by more than twice the amount as running does. But not only does it keep your heart healthy, it’ll also improves your sleep and helps you to be more alert during the day (sounds good right!?).

Walking helps you and the environment
The thought of walking along busy and polluted roads will probably make you want to just stay at home! A quick search on the internet will reveal desirable—nice green spaces— that are more than likely within ‘walking distance’.

Walking can be a great way of connecting with nature. Nature has a calming effect on us and there is an abundance of scientific proof that in addition to improving your physical wellbeing, walking can reduce your stress levels, enhance your mood, and bring you back into balance. Our daily routines, tend to throw us out of sync, walking can correct that, on many levels.

By walking you’ll also be doing your bit for the planet. It’s a far better way of getting around than sitting in your car in traffic and will help to reduce your carbon footprint. We’re all guilty of jumping in the car for short journeys when we could easily walk.  So, leave the car keys at home. It will benefit your health and the world we all share.

Share the love of the outdoors
An experience shared is an experience enhanced. One of the great things about walking is that you can do it solo or with friends. There are plenty of websites you can visit which organise regular walks in your area, so you can meet like-minded people who want to stay healthy and share their love of the outdoors. These meet-up groups can also let you know the best places to go in your area. But if you don’t fancy the idea of meeting new people, you can always take your pet along for company on your daily walk. However, make sure you change your routine as variety also invigorates the whole body.

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