Research states that walking more can help improve your overall health by improving your sleeping pattern.
Walking is the most straightforward way to keep your body healthy while losing weight by helping you burn excess calories. They define brisk walking as walking at a pace of approximately 3 miles per hour. One can still talk to a walking buddy at this pace, but one cannot sing while walking. Walking is well linked to living a healthy and longer life due to its many health benefits. This post will explore the benefits, reasons, and tips for walking more.
i. Linking Life expectancy with Your Sleep Patterns and exercise habits
While scientists have long proven that short sleeping time and a lack of physical activities ultimately lead to a short lifespan, a new study by the UK Biobank with teams’ collaboration from both University College London and the University of Sydney has confirmed this.
The research findings of the data analysis of over 380,000 persons aged over 56 within 11 years show a correlation between poor sleeping, lack of exercise, and lifespan. From the Research, most people who had less sleep and a show of no physical activities died early due to stroke and heart attack.
Lifestyle diseases such as heart disease, anxiety, type 2 diabetes, and many types of cancer have become significant killers today, caused by a lack of physical activities. Thus, sleeping more and participating in physical activities leads to a longer life expectancy. Incorporating a walking routine in your daily life will improve your health and those around you when you get involved in a walking group and meetups activities.
ii. Walking can reduce insomnia
Can’t sleep? You are not alone. Sleep deprivation is one of the significant issues facing lack of sleep is; one of the single-handedly Research by the National Center for Biotechnology Information established that 33% of adults struggle with chronic insomnia. Brisk walking is said to eliminate insomnia caused by a misaligned internal body clock which is likely to threaten your lifespan.
Research has proven that daily physical activities help increase the production of the sleep hormone ‘serotonin,’ which is beneficial in regulating sleep, which results in sleeping for over 7 hours of sleep every night. Regular brisk walking may protect you from insomnia as you grow older.
iii. Walking as a World Health Organization guideline
The World Health Organization(WHO) guidelines recommend adults actively participate in a moderate or vigorous activity each week. Brisk walking as a form of moderate activity. To get maximum benefits from brisk walking, aspire to walk for at least 150-300 minutes. Vigorous activity such as splinting can be incorporated as a daily routine but in moderation. The recommended time guidelines being 75-150 minutes every week.
Study findings back up these guidelines as it leads to a healthy life. Before embarking on any form of physical activity, make sure to consult with your doctor for any health concerns.
Why Should You Walk More regularly?
Walking is free, very easy to do, and is easy on your joints. Daily movements help support your joints, improving how you usually function and helps you get used to your ability to get around, especially as you age.
Walking is the utmost form of self-care for your body. Incorporating physical activity (brisk walking) will help you create a more balanced life leading to more sleeping hours and a healthy life.
Walking helps you sleep better. Sleeping better has an instant ripple effect on your life; it leads to feeling better and well-rested as you wake up and better decision making. The vice versa is also true; sleep deprivation eventually leads to mood swings and impairs decisions.
Regular walking will invariably reduce the risk of early death by warding off chronic diseases in addition to helping you lose weight. Walking more is the best decision you can make for a higher life expectancy.
Walking is fun. Walking can be utilized as a group activity by almost everyone at the various stages in life, which means that you can be walking as a family, which leads to more time together and that helps in bonding.
Tips for walking more;
Get yourself a comfortable walking shoe. Taking care of your arc starts with the shoes that you wear. Make sure they fit you well. Good walking shoes encourage you to walk more.
Use the walking club walking app. It’s the first app to connect walkers worldwide.
Join your area walking groups or create one. Friends and family will be the easiest to convince and will be excited to start.
Listen to music or a podcast when walking. Listening to music is a great way to increase the pace.
Lastly, use walking more as an excuse to get everywhere to work, school, the mall, and running errands. Thus saving time spent looking for your perfect parking spot. To do more, Walk more.