30 Things That Happen When Walking Every Day

20. Walking is low-impact and therefore less likely to result in injuries Getting moving can pose its risks. The impact of exercise on the hip, knee,… Simi - December 5, 2018

20. Walking is low-impact and therefore less likely to result in injuries

Getting moving can pose its risks. The impact of exercise on the hip, knee, and ankle joints can cause injuries. For those prone to such injuries, the idea of taking up walking may be off-putting. The risk of getting a joint injury is quite low. In comparison with high-impact activities like running and playing other sports, the risk is minimal.

Walking is regarded as a low-impact activity. This means that it doesn’t cause the jarring pressure on the joints that high-impact activity does. Like any other exercise, there are precautions you should take before walking. Warm up activities like stretching reduce the risk of injury. Cooldown activities after the fact are equally important. Anyone with a history of joint injuries or conditions that make them prone to joint problems should consult their doctor before starting a walking program.

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21. Walking can improve your physical endurance

Are you tired of being the colleague that’s out of breath after climbing the stairs? Perhaps you’re sick of being a sweaty mess when trying to keep up with your friends as they walk outside to enjoy their lunch break. Being out of breath and perspiring at the littlest effort is a sign that you’re unfit. Precisely, you lack endurance. Endurance is the ability to carry on with a physical challenge for a more extended period.

Walking is the perfect way to build up endurance. You can start slowly and see how many miles you cover in your first walk. The more you walk, the further you’ll be able to go within the same 30-minute period. You’ll find yourself being able to up the pace at which you walk and keep going for longer. These are all signs that you’re building up physical endurance.

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22. Walking can help you to alleviate restless leg syndrome

Restless leg syndrome can be challenging to live with. It causes sensations in the legs that the body reacts to by twitching or sudden movements to alleviate those feelings. A lot of people complain that their restless leg syndrome keeps them awake at night. The condition affects the quality of their sleep which, in turn, affects their quality of life. The causes of the disease are not yet fully understood. The treatments available address the symptoms but not the purpose.

Mild to moderate exercise is recommended for restless leg sufferers. Anything too strenuous may make the problem worse. No exercise at all will have the same effect. This is what makes walking the ideal solution. Walking offers the perfect combination of exercise without too much exertion. You can walk at your own pace for as long as possible to alleviate the symptoms of restless leg syndrome.

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23. Walking is good for exercising your foot muscles

The feet take a lot of strain. When you stand up and walk, your feet carry your full weight. To manage this, the foot muscles need to be strong. A sedentary lifestyle will cause the weakening of the foot muscles. As soon as you spend a lot of time on your feet, they’ll start to feel sore. This is your feet’s way of telling you that the foot muscles are tired.

Like any other muscles, the way to strengthen your foot muscles is to exercise them. This means getting on your feet and moving around more often. Walking gives your feet a good workout and allows the muscles to strengthen. With stronger foot muscles, you’ll be able to spend more time on your feet without limping around afterward. Make sure you wear appropriate shoes when walking. They support the foot muscles and allow them to strengthen.

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24. Walking is good for boosting your Vitamin D intake

Vitamin D is vital for the absorption of calcium in the body. Calcium is essential for maintaining healthy bones that do not lose their density. Taking calcium supplements or eating foods rich in calcium is fruitless if not accompanied by the intake of Vitamin D.

You can get Vitamin D by eating liver and fatty fish. Your body does not produce its own Vitamin D, so your diet needs to include it. However, food is not the only way to get your recommended daily allowance of Vitamin D. Sun exposure also provides the body with Vitamin D. That doesn’t mean you need to lie in the hot sun and bake yourself to a crisp. All it takes is getting outside into the sunshine for a short period. Why not combine your need for the ‘sunshine vitamin’ with taking regular walks?

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25. Walking should increase your energy levels

Getting your heart rate up and speeding up the circulation of blood through your body is going to affect your energy levels. A common misconception about any exercise is that it saps the energy out of you due to the physical activity. People believe that exercise will leave them feeling exhausted and unable to do anything else. This isn’t true at all. While you might feel a bit tired after your walk, the physical exertion is going to create more energy in your body.

The increased blood flow strengthens the heart which also boosts your energy levels. The improvement in your mood will give you more energy to tackle tasks with renewed vigor. The fact that walking promotes better sleep quality means that your energy levels will rise. The mental focus and creativity walking facilitate also boosts energy levels. Recharge your battery for greater energy by taking up walking.

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26. Walking can improve your love life

One of the ways you can channel your new-found energy is putting it to work in the bedroom by engaging in more intimacy with your partner. Increased energy levels may get you in the mood far more often than you were before. Another way that walking can improve your love life is the fact that it releases endorphins into the bloodstream. This leads to a sense of heightened satisfaction and a euphoric feeling.

The endorphins are called feel-good hormones. Let’s face it, when you’re feeling good about yourself, you’re far more likely to want to make love. Why not take up walking with your partner. Then both of you will feel that high at the same time, and both feel in the mood to hop into bed. The act itself is another workout altogether which leads to a further release of endorphins which will leave you wanting more!

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27. Walking can make you live longer

A lack of physical activity can lead to an early death. Not exercising reduces your expected lifespan. Walking reduces your risk of many diseases that may shorten your life. These include type 2 diabetes, heart disease, pulmonary diseases, digestive disorders, memory loss, and hormone imbalances. Obesity can bring on the onset of such conditions. Walking can help an obese person lose weight and protect themselves from developing these life-threatening medical conditions. Walkers lose weight by partaking in this pleasurable exercise.

Several studies have been conducted that show a causal link between regular exercise and longer life. Exercise such as walking can prevent strokes and heart attacks which are among the leading causes of premature death. Even people who smoke can benefit from regular walking or some other exercise. However, their chances of prolonging their lives will improve even more if they stop smoking altogether.

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28. Walking can raise your levels of good cholesterol

When people hear the word cholesterol, they immediately think of heart attacks and strokes. Cholesterol can contribute to such potentially fatal events. However, there are two types of cholesterol. Commonly known as good and bad cholesterol, it is the presence of bad cholesterol that can cause heart attacks and strokes. The medical term for bad cholesterol is LDL (low-density lipoprotein).

It accumulates as fatty deposits in the veins and arteries and restricts or blocks the flow of blood to and from the heart. The correct term for good cholesterol is HDL (high-density lipoprotein). HDL travels through the body removing LDL from the bloodstream. The HDL absorbs the LDL and takes it to the liver where it gets destroyed. Physical activity such as walking increases the flow of HDL around the body. The HDL is better able to find and absorb the LDL and get it to the liver.

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29. Walking can reduce incidences of acid reflux

Acid reflux is very painful. The condition occurs when acid from the stomach travels up into the esophagus. The esophagus is not lined like the stomach to make it tolerant of the acid. Consequently, the acid burns the esophagus which is extremely uncomfortable. It’s normal to experience the odd instance of acid reflux, especially after you’ve overindulged at the dinner table. Taking a walk after overeating may settle the stomach and avoid the reflux episode.

Persistent acid reflux could be due to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder or GERD. One of the major causes of GERD is excess body weight. There is pressure on the stomach caused by being overweight. This forces the stomach acid up and into the esophagus. Losing that excess body weight alleviates the stress on the stomach and stops forcing the stomach acid upward. Walking is proven to result in weight loss.

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30. Walking may help to reduce the symptoms of PMS and menopause

PMS is a pre-menstrual syndrome. Menopause occurs when a woman reaches the end of her fertility cycle, and her reproductive system begins to shut down. Fluctuating hormone levels characterize both these conditions. The primary hormone that may be elevated or reduced is estrogen. Estrogen is the female hormone needed to keep the reproductive system stable. A fluctuation in estrogen before menstruation may lead to back pain, irritability, and headaches. For women experiencing menopause, hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness may occur.

For both conditions, low-impact mild to moderate activity is advocated to relieve some of the symptoms. Improved circulation can help to reduce pain associated with cramping. The mental benefits of walking may help with the emotional rollercoaster that accompanies PMS and menopause. Keeping your weight down can also reduce the severity of symptoms.

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