10 incredible and surprising health benefits of walking

Updated

From a very young age, I was taught that exercise is good for my health.

This may seem pretty obvious, but that doesn't mean I always make exercise a priority. After all, going to the gym every day can be an extremely large commitment.

But as someone who is quite serious about my own health, I am always on the lookout for simple and effective ways to keep my body healthy — like with these all-natural methods for fighting foot problems.

And now that I know just how much of a positive impact I can have on my health with a little bit of walking, I will definitely be making time in my day to take a nice stroll around the block.

Scroll through below for an exclusive look at the extensive list of health benefits that come from walking for 30 to 45 minutes each day. I've always figured that walking was good for you, but I never realized it could be this good.

Some of these health benefits are incredibly surprising — like who knew that walking could help fight glaucoma? After reading this list, I am now a true believer in the impressive power of walking.

Will you be adding a little more walking to your daily routine? Let us know in the comments!

What Are The Health Benefits Of Walking?


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The list of health benefits from walking is long and impressive.

Walking 30 to 45 minutes each day can help battle Alzheimer's, improve muscle tone, lower blood pressure, promote colon health, improve your mood, fight glaucoma, stabilize your weight, strengthen your bones, battle diabetes, and improve lung health.

Scroll through below to see exactly how daily walking can positively impact each of these important areas of your health!

Lower Your Risk Of Alzheimer's


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Believe it or not, walking can actually be good for your mind and overall mental health.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, "Walking lowers Alzheimer's risk. A study from the University of Virginia... found that men between 71 and 93 who walked more than a quarter of a mile per day had half the incidence of dementia and Alzheimer's disease."

Tone Your Muscles


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It might seem pretty obvious that exercise can help you build muscle, but this especially holds true when it comes to walking.

According to Tesco Living, "Walking tones up legs, bums, and tums. Give definition to calves, quads, and hamstrings, while lifting your glutes with a good, regular walk... Pay attention to your posture, and you'll also tone your abs and waist."

Improve Your Heart Health And Lower Your Blood Pressure


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Anyone who experiences heart problems should seek the advice of a doctor. However, walking can be an enormous help in improving heart health and positively affecting blood pressure.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases recommends walking every day to "lower your risk of health problems like high blood pressure [and] heart disease."

Promote Your Colon's Health

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According to lifestyle expert Sarah Sarna, walking is known "to limit colon cancer by 31 percent in women."

And WebMD details even more colon benefits, writing, "A regular walking regimen — even 10 to 15 minutes several times a day — can help the body and digestive system function optimally... Exercise is essential for regular bowel movements."

Improve Your Mood


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If you are feeling down, the solution may just be to take a stroll around the neighborhood.

According to a study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research, individuals who went for 30- to 45-minute walks every day, five days out of the week, showed improved moods and a decrease in "depressed" feelings.

Fight Off Glaucoma


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For those who are at risk for glaucoma, walking is recommended to help relieve pressure in the eye.

According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, "Studies have shown that moderate exercise such as walking or jogging three or more times every week can have an [eye pressure] lowering effect."

Control Your Weight


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It may be comforting to know that you don't necessarily have to do hours of cardio in order to manage your weight.

According to Everyday Health, "Avoiding weight gain might be as simple as taking a walk." They cite a study that showed that "women who ate a standard diet and walked for an hour a day were able to successfully maintain their weight."

Strengthen Your Bones


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Walking can have a positive impact upon the strength and health of your bones and joints.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, "Walking shores up your bones. It can stop the loss of bone mass for those with osteoporosis." They also cite a study of older women showing that "30 minutes of walking each day reduced their risk of hip fractures by 40 percent."

Lower Your Risk Of Diabetes


Maya Borenstein for LittleThings

According to Everyday Health, "Brisk walking can help prevent and manage diabetes."

They go on to quote American Association of Diabetes Educators expert Tami Ross, who says, "A 20- to 30-minute walk can help lower blood sugar for 24 hours."

Improve Your Lung Health


Maya Borenstein for LittleThings

While it may not be a shock that exercise can be good for your breathing, it may surprise you just how great an impact walking can have on your lung health.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, "Walking improves your breath. When walking, your breathing rate increases, causing oxygen to travel faster through [the] bloodstream, helping to eliminate waste products and improve your energy level and the ability to heal."

The list of health benefits associated with daily walking is both surprising and impressive.

Will you be adding a little more walking to your daily routine? Let us know in the comments.

Please SHARE this vital health information with friends and family!

Exercise is important for your formative years, too!

Exercising While Young Helps Brain Health Later
Exercising While Young Helps Brain Health Later

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