Walking: One a Day Can Change Your Life, or Even Save it

We’ve all heard the old saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” but what about a walk a day? Walking is one of the most underrated forms of exercise and that makes sense when diving into fitness trends that continue to emerge and explode in popularity. Our perception of being healthy has transformed over time with social media shaping our feelings on body image and physical capabilities. We see individuals performing muscle-ups in the gym and others holding yoga poses in front of breathtaking landscapes, making for popular social media. That itch to reach these levels and boost our self-esteem has created the biggest buzz. Who doesn’t want to have an attractive lifestyle and share it? And we get it–walking isn’t exactly sexy. When was the last time you shared a photo of yourself walking for exercise with your friends? Walking may not get the same respect as smashing out the latest CrossFit or spin class, but it does share a lot of the same health benefits. In fact, walking may be the perfect exercise.

Walking can be done anywhere and at any time with no gym membership required. It requires no equipment or special training. Taking regular, brisk walks can help improve heart health, aid in weight loss, regulate blood pressure, improve circulation, fight cancer, reduce the risk of diabetes, strengthen bones and muscles, boost immune function, improve digestion and delay aging. Seem too good to be true? Well, there’s more. The health benefits of walking not only shape us physically but mentally and emotionally. Walking can reduce stress, boost creativity, increase self-esteem, increase energy and improve sleep. Some health experts have even deemed walking to be the fountain of youth, claiming that just 30 minutes a day can change your life, or even save it.

Jean Aldridge, Community Outreach Coordinator for Adventist Health Feather River in Paradise, says “Walking is one of my favorite ways to relax and de-stress. One of my favorite places to walk is on forested trails. The Japanese call this ‘forest bathing’. One stroll through a forest can boost the body’s ability to fight disease for weeks.”

Most public health organizations agree that healthy adults need 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity such as walking (at least 30 minutes a day, five days per week). Incorporating more walking into your routine can be easy. Start by taking a walk around the block while your child is taking an after-school class or playing sports. Go for a family stroll after meals rather than hunkering down on the couch for some Netflix. Walk your child to school, or park a short way from the entrance and walk to skip the traffic. Celebrate special occasions like birthdays or graduations with a fun hike. Wander while chatting on your phone or catch up with friends on a walk through the park. Park your vehicle farther from your destination. The opportunities to add more walking into your daily habit are endless, and the chance for better health is literally steps away. Start with small changes in your daily habits with a goal to reach 10 minutes or more per walk, totaling 30 minutes a day. The benefits are free for the taking, so let’s get walking.

Check out Healthy Shasta’s link for some great maps of the area.