HSI Active Lifestyle – Health Science Index

Incorporating an active lifestyle

The Importance of Walking

An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.

“Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very far.”- Thomas Jefferson

Walking is a cheap and straightforward yet effective exercise for improving the overall health of an individual. It requires minimal usage of equipments and can adjust to the individual’s pacing. Aside from being a form of physical activity, walking is also a social activity for those who like doing it around their neighborhood. The action allows them to come in contact with different people and establishments while helping themselves at the same time.

A study from the Journal of American Association found that sedentary women who performed low-intensive exercises like walking for 75 minutes a week showed significant improvement in their fitness levels as compared with the women who did not perform the said exercise.

The American Heart Association recommends for non-disabled individuals to do moderate-intensive exercises such as brisk walking for at least 30 minutes during weekdays or high-intensive activities such as running for at least 20 minutes 3 days weekly.

Benefits of Walking

Burns Calories. The physical activity requires energy
Allows boosting of energy. It increases oxygen flow of the body
Improve mood levels. It can reduce anxiety and depression
Reduced risk of diseases such as heart problems
Increases muscle strength and endurance
Improvement of existing medical conditions such as hypertension or high blood pressure
Increment of immune function against diseases such as flu