If you want another seven years to spend in your life, walking can help you. Research presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress, followed a group of 69 people between the ages of 30 and 60. The study found that those who engaged in daily exercise, such as a brisk walk or jog, high-intensity interval training, and strength training could halve the risk of dying heart, reduce the risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, and it can be serve as an anti-aging benefit that adds an additional three to seven years to your life. It seem like a great deal!
Walking can also makes us more productive so we can think and write more creatively. When we go for a walk, our hearts pump faster to circulate more blood and oxygen to the muscles and all the organs including our brain. Many experiments have shown that after or during exercise, even very mild exertion, people perform better on tests of memory and attention. Even better, walking protects your brain by lower your risk of getting cognitive illnesses. Another study that followed 176 college students found that 100 percent of those who walked outside were able to generate at least one high-quality, novel analogy compared to 50 percent of those seated inside. The research also states that those who walk indoors or outdoors might result in a boost in creative inspiration. Moreover, their creativity levels stays consistently and significantly higher for those walking compared to those sitting.
Although you might say that you don’t have the time, but as simple as walking to school or work, it can bring you great benefits. With National Take a Walk in the Park Day coming up on March 30th, take some time and enjoy Spring’s beginnings in your local green space is pretty great.
Ben Wu