Walking: 7 Benefits According To Science

The Argentine poet Miguel Cantilo once said: “I know I can go very far without having to walk, just by closing my eyes.” Unfortunately, those who take this phrase literally will not enjoy the physical and psychological benefits of walking.

After this witty introduction, let’s talk seriously. Walking, in addition to making us feel good, has excellent benefits for our health. Science has studied this practice several times and confirms its great psychological and physical advantages.

Walking: physical and psychological benefits

The physical and psychological benefits of walking begin with the fact that it is a pleasant activity.  A walk can make us feel better, as it is a low-intensity, aerobic exercise that brings us the inner peace that we lose due to the stress that characterizes our days.

Enjoying the landscape is one of the first benefits of a nice walk.  Added to this is also the improvement in our physical state, which leads to an optimal mental state.

A study conducted by the University of Tennessee, USA, led to the conclusion that women who walk every day accumulate less body fat than those who lead a sedentary lifestyle. This factor improves the quality of life, as well as reducing the risk of suffering from blood clots. Furthermore:

Helps sleep better:

Walking helps our body release serotonin. It is a neurotransmitter derived from the amino acid known as tryptophan, which increases the production of melatonin. Melatonin regulates sleep cycles, so a walk is crucial for making it easier to fall asleep and for it to be of good quality.

Improve the mood

Do you want to be happy and in a good mood all day? According to the State University of California, USA, walking not only allows us to release serotonin, but also endorphins. The combination of both creates the ideal mix to improve the mood, which is what we commonly know as the chemistry of happiness.

Increase life expectancy

The University of Michigan School of Medicine, USA, states that people between the ages of 50 and 60 who usually go out for a walk have a 35% lower chance of dying in the next 5 years. 

It reduces and prevents cognitive impairment

According to a study conducted by the University of San Francisco, USA, the more we walk, the slower some of our mental abilities deteriorate as we age. Specifically, among the more than 5,000 individuals surveyed, aged 65 or over, it was found that memory loss was reduced by 17% in those who walked at least 3 kilometers a day.

Prevents the onset of Alzheimer’s

A much feared disease, which unfortunately often also affects young individuals, is Alzheimer’s. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure, but some prevention factors seem to have been identified. Among these we find physical activity.

A study from the University of Virginia claims that people in their 70s who walk 1km a day reduce their risk of suffering from this type of dementia by 50%.

It helps us lose weight and maintain it

Like it or not, we live in a world where physical appearance matters. For many people, keeping fit and having an enviable figure is the perfect way to feel confident and to believe in their possibilities. And not for others, but for themselves.

Walking or strolling, being an aerobic exercise, improves our mood and our shape. As this is a moderate activity, its impact on the body is reduced and the chances of injury are reduced. For this reason, it is a perfect exercise for those who suffer from joint pain, for example.

It also helps burn fat. In fact, the  Journal of the American Dietetic Association reminds us that women who walk more than 5 hours a week have very low body fat levels. 

It reduces stress

We have already said that walking releases endorphins and serotonin, giving rise to the chemistry of happiness. Logically, it is a great stress reducer. According to the Diary of Physiological Anthropology , walking reduces the levels of cortisol, the hormone that is produced when we are stressed or anxious.

You have been able to verify, therefore, that science confirms the enormous physical and psychological benefits of walking. Therefore, find the willpower to get out of bed and leave the sofa and blankets even during these cold winter months, to dedicate time to a nice walk. If you lack motivation, perhaps a dog or a chat with friends can help. Don’t forget that, with little effort, you can achieve great results.