You’ve probably heard before about the benefits of exercise, but what about the benefits of walking specifically?
If you’re in need of more convincing that you should be ditching the car and taking to the pavements, here are four incredible benefits of walking that you can get right now.
Getting out and about in the fresh air is a great boost to your immune system. According to the British Heart Foundation, ‘walking at a brisk pace can increase the white blood cells in your blood, which are your body’s natural defence against germs and diseases’.
Of course, this isn’t a replacement for things like making sure you are up to date on your vaccinations and eating a balanced and nutritious diet, but is a great bonus to strengthen your immune system and keep the nasties away!
While working remotely is great for so many reasons, it does begin to limit the amount of human contact you have in a day - as does shopping online, and access to personal vehicles like cars. Walking gives you the opportunity to meet people and have a chat - even if it’s just a ‘good morning’.
According to Step One Charity, the endorphins released by walking are great at increasing your mood. When we’re feeling low, it can be easy to stagnate - put on a film, eat satisfying foods, and allow the rot to set in.
That’s not a bad thing, in moderation - but getting out into the fresh are and taking a walk around your neighborhood, even for just fifteen minutes or so, can do you the world of good.
Lastly, of course, walking has the added benefit of being much better for the planet than driving, or even using public transportation. So, rather than automatically jumping into the car for a quick trip down the road, consider exchanging that for a walk, and getting some exercise in at the same time. Plus, walking is much cheaper than petrol!
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Papyrus. This is the leading suicide prevention charity for young people, working with under 35s. Find out more.
PTSD UK. This is a community for everyone in the UK that is suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Find out more here.
The Climate Coalition. This is the UK's largest group of people dedicated to action against climate change. Find out more and support them here.
This article aligns with the UN SDG Good Health and Wellbeing and Climate Action.
