Experts agree that physical activity helps us maintain good health. Walking is a safe and simple form of exercise that is accessible to just about everyone. You can walk almost anywhere, at any time, for a low cost – basically the cost of a good pair of shoes. While most of us walk some each day, fewer than 50% of Americans walk enough to gain any health benefits.
Here are the top ten benefits of walking and why a walking routine is good for your health.
1. Walking can prevent type 2 diabetes. The Diabetes Prevention Program showed you can lower your risk of diabetes by about 60%, if you walk 150 minutes a week and lose 12-15 pounds.
2. Walking is good for your heart. It can lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (good cholesterol). It also lowers high blood pressure. Walking 3 times a week for 30 minutes can increase cardiorespiratory health as well.
3. Walking lowers your risk of stroke. People who regularly walk briskly for 30 minutes, 5 days a week, have a 40% lower risk of suffering a stroke than people who walk less frequently.
4. Walking reduces the risk of breast cancer and increases survival rates. In one study, the risk of breast cancer was reduced by 18% in women who walked about 1 hour to 2-1/2 hours a week compared to women who didn’t walk. In another study, the breast cancer survival rates of women who walked regularly prior to being diagnosed were 30% higher than women who didn’t walk before diagnosis.
5. Walking is good for your memory. People who walk regularly have a 27% lower risk of developing dementia compared to people who don’t walk as much.
6. Walking can improve your mood. People who walked for 30 minutes, 3 to 5 times a week for 3 months, reduced their symptoms of depression by 47%.
7. Walking lowers fibromyalgia pain levels. In a 18-week study, women (32 to 70 years old) showed significant improvements in walking ability, mental capacity, mood, and energy levels after stretching, performing light exercises, and walking 60 minutes 3 times a week.
8. Walking reduces your need for medication. People who take long weekly walks often take less medication.
9. Walking is good for your bones. Postmenopausal women who walk about 1 mile each day have higher bone density than women who walk shorter distances.
10. Walking helps you control your weight. Walking increases the number of calories your body uses, helping you lose weight.
Walking can also help you feel better, handle stress, have more energy, and sleep better.
If foot pain from bunions, arch strain, plantar fasciitis, or Achilles tendonitis is preventing you from starting a walking routine, you should consider wearing a custom orthotic, like the ezWalker® Performance Insole. The ezWalker® is specifically made for each of your feet, providing you with the exact support your feet need. Your feet will be better biomechanically aligned, so each step will be controlled throughout the gait cycle, reducing any stress or strain on your feet, knees, hips, and/or lower back. You’ll notice you have better posture, with greater stability and balance. More importantly, you’ll have pain relief with every step you take.
Since they’re ultra thin and ¾ in length, ezWalker® insoles easily fit into any footwear, including athletic, dress, or casual shoes. Since these shoe inserts can be purchased via the Internet, anyone, from anywhere, can own one. So, order your ezWalker® Performance Insoles today.
Put an ezWalker® in your shoes and put a smile on your face. Because … when your feet feel good, you feel good.
