Walking has many benefits for your health and is a relatively low-impact exercise. It’s easy for many people to incorporate walking into their daily routine. If you are new to exercising or were injured and need a new routine, look into these amazing benefits of walking!

AFC Burlington has the best interest of our community in mind. We want everyone to be as happy and healthy as possible. Call us today for any questions on health resources, or visit our center for acute injury treatment.

Benefits of Walking Daily

Walking has so many advantages that can impact your mental and physical health. Getting a bit of exercise in does not need to be complicated, and you don’t need a gym membership. Incorporating a daily walk into your life can help you lead a healthier lifestyle.

Some benefits of walking everyday include:

• Losing body fat and maintaining a healthy weight
• Prevent or manage stroke, heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes
• Strengthen your bones and muscles
• Improve your mood and get better sleep
• Increase your energy levels, cardiovascular fitness, and balance and coordination
• Strengthen your immune system

The more you walk, the faster and further you will be able to go. As you improve, your overall health will improve overtime as well. Be sure to check your posture as you walk to be aware of any potential problems. 

Create a New Routine

It’s important to write out your routine before heading outside. Make sure you have all of the proper gear with you. This can include water, reflective gear if walking at night, proper shoes or boots if walking during the winter, moisture-wicking fabrics during the summer, or an activity tracker if you use one.

Be sure to determine your walking route ahead of time and be aware of the conditions outside. Warming up and stretching are great ways to avoid any potential injuries. It’s important to prepare your body for any exercise.

Stay Motivated

Staying motivated is arguably the hardest part of exercising. It takes a lot of commitment to keep up with it every day. Create your own success by setting realistic goals, such as a 5 to 10-minute walk during your lunch break.  

Change up your route every few days to see different sites, or invite a friend or coworker to walk with you. If you vary your routine, it will help keep you interested and motivated to continue walking.