The Most Important Health Benefits of Walking a Day for Women

Women tend to place greater emphasis on appearance and beauty than men. The result is that women often place a higher value on their personal image, spending more time, money and effort on their physical appearance. Because of this, women are more likely to be conscious of their health and fitness, especially where walking is concerned. Women’s love of fashion has led to a resurgence in ‘70s-inspired looks that have now become known as ‘retro’ fashion. The trend has seen a spike in the sales of bell-bottom jeans; high-cut leggings with crop tops; and tights with patterns such as lightning bolts, unicorns and pandas printed on them. While there are numerous upsides to this renewed focus on our personal appearance, it also comes at a cost – namely in terms of our health and fitness. Here are the top

Jumpstart Your Metabolism and Burn Calories

Walking is one of the best ways to jumpstart your metabolism and boost your fat-burning potential. This is because walking is an aerobic activity, meaning it gets your heart pumping and your lungs breathing deeply. When your heart and lungs are functioning at their optimum, they draw on extra energy from your body in the form of calories. A healthy, balanced diet combined with regular walking is a great way to lose weight and keep it off. Indeed, research has found that people who regularly walk at least 3 hours a week lose significantly more weight than those who walk less.

Strengthen Your Muscles

Walking is a gentle activity that is safe for almost everyone. As a result, it’s an excellent form of exercise for people of all ages and abilities. A daily walk will strengthen your leg muscles, particularly the muscles in your calves and thighs. By strengthening these muscles, you can reduce the risk of injury by up to 50% during other activities, such as running. Regular walking can also help to prevent conditions such as varicose veins, which are common in people over the age of 40.

Improve Your Mood and Fight Depression

The connection between exercise and improved mood has long been established. Indeed, studies have shown that regular walking can reduce the symptoms of depression by up to 50%. This is because exercise releases endorphins – feel-good chemicals that are responsible for making us happy. The mood-boosting effects of walking are particularly pronounced in women during menopause, when the drop in estrogen can cause mood swings and depression. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that sedentary women engage in regular exercise – such as walking – to reduce the risk of depression.

Help You Sleep Better

Regular walking can help improve sleep quality by reducing the production of cortisol, a stress hormone that can disrupt sleep. Indeed, studies have found that people who regularly walk experience a reduction in their cortisol levels. Regular walkers also experience improved melatonin levels – a hormone that helps you sleep. Walking during the daytime can help reduce feelings of tiredness and overcome insomnia. The health benefits of walking go beyond weight loss, improved mood, and better sleep. Walking can also help to protect against heart disease and stroke, as well as a variety of cancers.

Conclusion

The Most Important Health Benefits of Walking a Day for Women Women tend to place greater emphasis on appearance and beauty than men. The result is that women often place a higher value on their physical image, spending more time, money, and effort on their appearance. This has led to a resurgence in ‘70s-inspired fashion: bell-bottom jeans, high-cut leggings with crop tops, and tights with patterns such as lightning bolts, unicorns, and pandas printed on them. These renewed focuses on the individual’s personal appearance come with a cost, namely in terms of health and fitness. While there are many upsides to this renewed focus on physical appearance, it also comes at a cost - namely in terms of health and fitness. Fortunately, walking is one of the best ways to jumpstart your metabolism and burn calories, as well as strengthen leg muscles and fight depression. The health benefits of walking go beyond weight loss, improved mood, and better sleep. Walking can also help to protect against heart disease and stroke, as well as a variety of cancers.