7 Benefits of a 20 Minute Walk Outdoors

Walking is an easy and low impact activity that most of us can do regardless of age. Getting outside and walking for as little as 20 minutes each day can help to boost our mood and has many health benefits! One thing I like to do is go for a walk right after work, before starting my evening routine.

“In a report that included findings from multiple well done studies, researchers found that walking reduced the risk of cardiovascular events by 31% cut the risk of dying by 32%. These benefits were equally robust in men and women. Protection was evident even at distances of just 5½ miles per week and at a pace as casual as about 2 miles per hour. The people who walked longer distances, walked at a faster pace, or both enjoyed the greatest protection.” SOURCE

Benefits of walking include:

• Heart health – walking increases your heart rate since your heart is required to pump more blood to the cells in your body, reducing your risk of developing cardiovascular diseases
• Lung health – walking increases your lung capacity making your lungs stronger and helps you to breathe easier
• Mental health – walking improves your overall mental well-being and lowers the risks of developing depression, anxiety, stress, and fatigue
• Bone health – walking at an increased speed can help to slow the age-related decline in bone density helping to lower the risk of fractures while maintaining bone strength
• Muscle health – walking engages all of your lower body muscles to work together as you take each step reducing overall stiffness and improving the strength of these muscles
• Weight control – walking at an increased speed can help with weight control since you are burning calories
• Improved management of conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes

With the warmer weather approaching, I encourage you to make time each day to get outside for a walk and continue this all year round, regardless of the season!

If you are in a bad mood go for a walk. If you are still in a bad mood go for another walk.

Hippocrates