

Start with a 30-minute walk at a reasonable pace and see how you feel. The distance, or period, you walk will depend on your tolerance levels. You also put more strain on your heart which is not healthy if you are already overweight. When you exercise beyond your capacity, you increase the risk of becoming injured. If you’re walking as part of a weight loss program, faster is not necessarily better – especially if you have abstained from exercise for a prolonged period. However, doctors also warn not to do too much too soon.

Naturally, a brisk walk will shed more body fat than a casual saunter.

The pace you walk will also determine how many calories you lose. Together with a balanced diet, a brisk 30-minute walk every day will help you shed the pounds.Ī study undertaken in the United States found that people that live in a walkable neighbourhood weighed 6-10 pounds less than people from areas that were considered less walkable. The Mayo Clinic advises that regular walking helps to control weight. Brisk Walking Helps Control Your Weight.Exposure to green spaces triggers a release of cortisol in the brain – a natural stress-reducing chemical.įor people that live in busy, chaotic cities, a dose of nature and a brisk walk is an effective remedy that does not cost you anything. The human body is genetically modified to feel calmer when in or around nature. Research published by the British Journal of Sports Medicine in the UK found that walking in green spaces lowers anxiety levels that are typically prompted by stress. To enhance the stress-relieving benefits of walking, escaping into nature also helps the mind find a calm state. A study performed on 135 university students found leisurely physical exercise is more effective at reducing stress levels than aerobic exercise. What’s more, walking is considered moderate exercise – so all it takes is 30 minutes a day, five days a week to fulfil your quota.īelow are ten health benefits regular walking provides.īrisk walking has found to produce stress-busting endorphins which reduce stress hormones. Numerous studies show brisk walking is proven to help people improve their health. To stay in good health, it is recommended adults should engage in moderate to vigorous exercise for at least two and a half hours a week. WHO advises that insufficient physical activity is one of the leading risk factors of early deaths, and is a key risk for noncommunicable diseases such as heart diseases, cancer and diabetes.

In short, obesity is a natural born killer. Moreover, being overweight is linked to the rise in chronic health. WHO estimates 1.9 million adults are overweight and 650 million are considered obese. In the last 55 years, worldwide obesity has tripled. It should come as no surprise that global obesity is at an all-time high. Yet despite the health benefits of walking, the World Health Organisation (WHO) report that fewer people are engaging in physical exercise.Ī 2018 report published by WHO revealed that 80% of the world’s adolescent population does not receive an adequate amount of physical exercise. A Google search brings up 1.26 trillion results. The health benefits of brisk walking are well-documented.
