Why Walking is Great for You

No matter your age, walking is one of the easiest and most powerful ways to maintain a healthy weight, keep your joints strong, and live longer. It may not always be the quickest way to get from point A to point B, but walking has many benefits that experts agree can greatly improve both your physical and mental health.

The Powerful Health Benefits of Walking

With the return of spring and nicer weather, going for a walk becomes a great outdoor activity. Walking is simple enough that all fitness levels can get those daily steps in. Just 30 minutes of walking a day, or more, will give you tremendous health benefits.

Burn Calories

Simply by going for a walk, you can burn calories. Burning calories helps you to maintain or lose weight. Keep in mind that varying factors will determine how many calories you burn such as walking speed, distance, terrain, and weight.

Ease Joint Pain

Walking can help protect joints, including your hips and knee, by lubricating and strengthening the muscles that support the joints. Walking may also provide benefits for people living with arthritis, such as reducing pain and stiffness.

Improve Your Mood

Research shows that just 10 minutes of walking can improve your mood. Regular walking modifies your nervous system so much that you’ll experience a decrease in anger and hostility. Ever heard of the expression “Walk it off”? That’s where it came from!

Boost Energy

Want to add more energy to your daily life? Walking can help with that. Simply by walking, you will increase blood flow in your body which will help fuel large muscles in your legs and brain. This is what makes you feel energized.

Live Longer

People that habitually walk for 15 or more minutes per day can add, on average, 15-20 years to their lives. This study by the Mayo Clinic showed an increase in life for women from 64.8 to 87.8 and an increase in longevity for men from 64.8 to 86.8.

Preferred Fitness

Somedays the weather may not always cooperate with your fitness goals and walking outside will not be an option. There is good news though for Florida Health Care Plans’ members. FHCP members with the Preferred Fitness benefit have free access to 80+ gyms and fitness centers where they can walk inside on treadmills and do other cardiovascular activities. All of which will be beneficial to their physical and mental health.