Lately, we’ve been hearing more and more about the health benefits of walking in the fresh air. But what exactly is so healthy about exercising in the great outdoors? In this article, we’ll show you some reasons why regular walking is actually so good for your body and mind.
Walking in the fresh air improves physical health
It’s no secret that exercise is good for your health. But did you know that even simply walking in the fresh air can provide tremendous benefits to your physical health? Here are five reasons why you should stretch your legs more often.
Walking improves heart health
One of the main reasons why walking is so good for your physical health is that it improves heart health. Regular walking helps to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. It also strengthens the muscles of the heart and improves circulation.
Walking helps you lose weight
If you are trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, walking is a great way to burn more calories. Depending on how fast you walk and how much you weigh, you can burn up to 150 calories per hour while walking. In addition, regular walking helps boost your metabolism and helps your body lose fat.
Walking reduces stress and anxiety
One of the mental benefits of regular walking is that it can reduce stress and anxiety. If you are feeling stressed or suffering from anxiety, taking a leisurely walk outside can help you get rid of your worries and bring you peace of mind. Exercising in the fresh air also helps release endorphins – chemicals in the brain that trigger feelings of happiness.
Walking improves sleep quality
If you have trouble sleeping or suffer from insomnia, regular walking can help improve sleep quality. Exercising in the fresh air helps your body relax and restore your sleep-wake cycle. If you go for a walk before bedtime, make sure you have at least an hour to give your body enough time to calm down and wind down.
Going for a walk helps relieve joint pain
If you suffer from joint pain – whether it’s arthritis or other forms of pain – regular walking can help relieve that pain. Exercising in the fresh air helps strengthen joints and relieve pain. If you want to walk in a way that’s easy on your joints, we recommend gentle exercises like Nordic walking or tai chi.
Walking helps the brain to recover and relax
It has been scientifically proven that regular walking is very healthy both physically and mentally. Exercising in the fresh air not only stimulates the circulation, but also benefits the brain. This is because walking allows the muscles to relax and the brain has the opportunity to recover from the stresses and strains of everyday life. Another benefit of walking is that it can increase the ability to concentrate. Namely, moving in the fresh air transports more oxygen to the brain, which leads to better blood circulation. This allows the brain to work better and process information more efficiently. Even though it may not always be possible to take a long walk every day, you should take the time at least once a day to get out into the fresh air and get some exercise. This is the only way to give your body and brain the opportunity to recover and relax properly.
Conclusion – walking is worthwhile
In conclusion, it can be said that regular walking actually brings a variety of health benefits. Exercise in the fresh air not only gets the circulation going, but also improves lung function. In addition, stress hormones are reduced and the production of endorphins is stimulated – hormones that are responsible for a general feeling of well-being. So: get out into nature and go in search of the perfect walk!