Walking is an activity most of us do on a daily basis. It is not the hardest exercise to do, and boasts certain health-enhancing gains that we may not have known or even heard of. Here are some benefits of walking that will hopefully get you up from your sofa and headed out for a stroll!

1. Walking strengthens your heart
When exercising, the heart becomes more efficient and delivers more oxygen and nutrients to other organs. Walking regularly reduces the risk of heart diseases and stroke. A brisk 30-minute walk every day helps to prevent and control high blood pressure that causes strokes, reducing the risk by up to 27 per cent1.

2. Walking helps to lose weight
Of course it does! Why else would we go through strenuous exercises if not for the hope of losing weight? A brisk 30-minute walk can help to burn 200 calories2. As we incorporate walking into a daily routine, prepare to shed some pounds!

3. Walking slows mental decline
Older people who walk 10 km or more per week are more likely to avoid brain shrinkage and preserve memory as the years go by. Dementia affects one in fourteen people over 65 and one in six over 801, spending time on an activity such as walking might be something worth doing!

4. Walking gives energy and lightens mood
As we walk, natural painkilling endorphins are released to our body – which happens to be one of the emotional benefits of walking2. Instead of depleting us of our energies, walking is actually one of the best natural energisers around! It helps to boost circulation and increases oxygen supply to every cell in our body, helping us feel alive and more alert1.

5. Walking leads to a longer life
Research shows that increasing the daily number of steps is linked to living a longer life. A sedentary person who increases his or her steps from 1,000 to 10,000 a day seven days a week was found to have a 46 per cent lower mortality risk3.

The SPD Ability Walk is back! Join us at Chinese Garden on 27 August at 8am for an enjoyable Sunday morning stroll, away from the hustle and bustle of the city!

Besides the 3km fun walk, you can look forward to a carnival with food and games where fantastic prizes can be won! Many fun-filled activities and a mass fitness workout await you at the end of the walk.

Register for the walk with your family and friends today and help us spread the word!

1 8 health benefits of walking: Healthy living tips. (n.d.). Retrieved June 20, 2017, from https://www.tescoliving.com/articles/8-reasons-why-walking-is-great-for-your-health

2 12 Benefits of Walking. (n.d.). Retrieved June 20, 2017, from http://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/exercise/workouts/walking/wow-of-walking.php

3 Press, A. A. (2015, November 04). Walking benefits: increasing daily steps linked to longer life, study shows. Retrieved June 20, 2017, from https://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/nov/05/walking-benefits-increasing-daily-steps-linked-longer-life-study-shows

4 Is walking a good exercise? Retrieved July 20, 2020, from https://moccasinguru.com/is-walking-a-good-exercise/