Walking 10,000 steps a day has become a famous fitness goal, maybe only next to drinking 8 glasses of water daily. Though 10000 steps is not an end-all for fitness, research confirms that the more you walk, the better.
Walking a fixed number of steps daily is a great way to keep yourself healthy, especially for those having a busy schedule and not being able to take time for regular exercise sessions. Here are the top 5 of the many health benefits of walking daily –
Improves your heart and lungs’ health
Moving each day helps strengthen your lungs and surrounding muscles. Regular physical activity helps increase the amount of oxygenated blood pumped from your heart and sent to your muscles. A strong heart can pump more blood with less effort. Your blood pressure decreases if you are heart works less to pump. Hence, this also helps maintain healthy blood pressure and reduces the chances of a heart attack.
Keeps you more focussed
Physical activity boosts the release of feel-good hormones and increases blood flow to the brain, making it more active. Not only do you feel less stressed and anxious when you regularly move, but it also improves your cognitive activity, making you more focused and promoting your product. An essential fitness routine and physical activity have also proven successful in coping with depressed moods.
Strengthens your bones and muscles
Physical activity and putting stress on your bones help improve their density and lower your risk for bone-related diseases later in life. Daily physical activity causes tears in your muscles, which in turn, leads to increased muscle growth and strength. Though walking alone is not enough but is definitely a great start.
Improves sleep
Walking 10000 steps daily increases your core body temperature. An increase in core body temperature signals the body clock that it’s time to be awake. However, after about 60 minutes, the core body temperature starts to fall. The decline helps to facilitate sleepiness. Ensure not to do it right before you get to bed but at least 60 minutes before it.
Helps in weight maintenance
Walking 10,000 steps per day is approximately 8 kilometres. This is a healthy distance to help burn excess calories. Of course, this is no substitute for a healthy diet and complements healthy eating to keep your weight in check.
Walking daily is a great way to build up a fitness routine and do good for your body. We are also hosting a step-up-to-fitness challenge to help you build this habit and get paid for doing good by yourself.