We typically begin our days by waking up and generally walking around the house getting ready for our busy days. However, today is a different day! It's National Walking Day!!!!!!!! Yes, that's is correct #NationalWalkingDay is April 3rd and we should do our best to know what a blessing is it to be able to enjoy our days being able to walk around. Why is walking such an important and integral portion of our day? It give us such amazing health benefits that we don't realize.
According to Harvard:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/5-surprising-benefits-of-walking
1. It counteracts the effects of weight-promoting genes. Harvard researchers looked at 32 obesity-promoting genes in over 12,000 people to determine how much these genes actually contribute to body weight. They then discovered that, among the study participants who walked briskly for about an hour a day, the effects of those genes were cut in half.
2. It helps tame a sweet tooth. A pair of studies from the University of Exeter found that a 15-minute walk can curb cravings for chocolate and even reduce the amount of chocolate you eat in stressful situations. And the latest research confirms that walking can reduce cravings and intake of a variety of sugary snacks.
3. It reduces the risk of developing breast cancer. Researchers already know that any kind of physical activity blunts the risk of breast cancer. But an American Cancer Society study that zeroed in on walking found that women who walked seven or more hours a week had a 14% lower risk of breast cancer than those who walked three hours or fewer per week. And walking provided this protection even for the women with breast cancer risk factors, such as being overweight or using supplemental hormones.
4. It eases joint pain. Several studies have found that walking reduces arthritis-related pain, and that walking five to six miles a week can even prevent arthritis from forming in the first place. Walking protects the joints — especially the knees and hips, which are most susceptible to osteoarthritis — by lubricating them and strengthening the muscles that support them.
5. It boosts immune function. Walking can help protect you during cold and flu season. A study of over 1,000 men and women found that those who walked at least 20 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week, had 43% fewer sick days than those who exercised once a week or less. And if they did get sick, it was for a shorter duration, and their symptoms were milder.
Without a doubt, we should all take part in such a subtle #hastagday where it is about walking. The amount of ways that a simple walk can help your health in so many different ways is honestly mind boggling. If someone were to tell me these facts and say walking everyday for a certain amount of time would significantly help me I would be skeptical at just walking around, but according to research and data it seems like the figures are correct and it does leave us to ask the question... do you want to take a walk today?
I know when I get home I will grab my pup and his leash and walk around the park to get our health in check.
Check back tomorrow for my next blog post! Bet you can't guess what it'll be about!
