Hippocrates has stated that walking is the best medicine. In addition, various studies have shown that walking not only keeps you disease-free for longer time but also increases your lifespan by 7 years. Even though walking is the simplest form of exercising and requires no fancy machines, it provides the best results. In other words, if you do not have some sort of debilitating condition, you can walk!

    Having difficulty making time for an hour of workout at the gym? Here are some easy ways to walk more without reorganising your daily schedule.

  • Take the stairs instead of an elevator.
  • Walk to work or to the grocery store.

Park further away instead of competing for parking.

Go for a walk after lunch instead of spending those extra 5 minutes in the cafeteria.

By exercising from your youth or even when you get old, you will not have to rely on others for your daily chores at that age. Here are some advantages of walking that will benefit you in your old age:

Great for old age

Walking helps you stay mobile and independent and you are less likely to become disabled or have an episode of physical disability. Arthritis patients, who have a difficult time doing exercises, can walk. Walking is gentle if performed correctly and it improves balance in older patients with osteoarthritis.

Boosts immunity

A research suggests that a mere 30-minute walk can increase your natural killer T-cells and other immune markers. Furthermore, the more daily step count, the better your mucosal immunity gets.

Prevents cancer

A research by the Harvard University shows that walking for at least 1 to 3 hours a week reduces the mortality risk from cancer by about 19%, especially in uterine and breast cancer. Nonetheless, if you walk for 3 to 5 hours, the risk further decreases by almost 54%.

Curbs cardiovascular disease

Walking keeps your blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol levels in check. Walking after meals helps regulate glucose levels for the patients with uncontrolled diabetes. Besides, brisk walking preserves elasticity in the arteries, thereby helping lower blood pressure and triglyceride levels.

Battles obesity

Brisk walking gets the heart pumping and muscles working, thereby decreasing your weight. While walking might not make you ripped, it will help your knee joints stay healthy for longer.

Good for brain and reduces stress

Walking helps with memory loss at an early age. A walk outdoors, especially at beach, woods or park, will freshen you up reducing any stress. It also increases your multi-tasking and creativity skills. Walking keeps you away from early memory loss, dementia and even Alzheimer’s disease.

Prevents falls

Walking from a young age improves balance. Even if you cannot walk properly, it improves your ability to land well even if you fall.

Improves sleep

As you get older, you might experience an imbalance in your sleep cycle. Quality sleep is vital for good health. Walking improves sleep in a way that helps you fall asleep faster and deeply.

In conclusion, walking not only provides the above mentioned benefits but also helps you live longer. Studies have shown that walking intensity is directly proportional to mortality. So, walk towards longer and healthier life!