Content provided by the Health & Wellness Team at GBS Benefits
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by fitness trends or goals. While research shows that 11 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise daily may lower your risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, or premature death, another health expert is praising the accessible exercise form of walking.
The National Jewish Health’s director of cardiovascular prevention and wellness expressed that even a short amount of walking—just five minutes—has health benefits and supports future exercise goals. Walking improves the body’s blood flow and boosts creativity and productivity. Like any other exercise, walking also helps strengthen muscles and delivers oxygen to the brain and muscles.
How to Walk More Each Day
Fortunately, walking can easily be implemented into a routine. Consider the following tips for including more walking into your daily routine:
- Make small goals. For example, you could take a five-minute walk at lunch each day. Doing so makes you more likely to succeed in maintaining a new walking habit.
- Walk with friends. This encourages you to keep the habit because you know others are counting on you, and it also makes the walks enjoyable having a friend to visit with along the way.
- Set reminders. Decide when to walk during the day and set reminders. It’s easy to forget to take a break when you get into your work.
- Diversify your routine. Change your walking routes to prevent boredom, or try walking at different speeds throughout your walk.
- Listen to your body. Don’t be afraid to take time off or modify your routine. Pay attention to your body’s signals and take care of yourself so you can maintain your new routine.
The key is to make movement a regular part of your day, even if it’s a five-minute walk. Talk to your doctor and discuss what works best for you to learn more about creating an active routine.
