As a nation, we often underestimate the benefits of walking. Life has become one long, time-efficient process where we have to try and jam as much into our days as physically possible. One of the first things that usually falls by the way-side is walking; that pure pleasure that offers gentle exercise, fresh air and a chance to smell the roses. After a full day at work, most like to kick back on the sofa and binge on their favourite Netflix series – but are we missing out on the bigger picture? Of course, a leisurely night in front of the TV once in a while is no bad thing, but for most families, it’s becoming a daily ritual. So, what is there to be gained by ditching the TV remote for the night and donning a pair of trainers?
Think back to your favourite childhood memory. Chances are, it was not one where you were cooped up indoors. Children love the great outdoors – beachcombing with their parents, collecting pine cones in the woods and building shelters out of broken branches. They are excited by stepping stones across rivers and flying kites in the sunshine. However, walking doesn’t just create such memories; recent studies have shown that walking aids memory retention – a useful skill in the modern world.
The modern world is noisy – and not always in a good way. Younger generations seldom have the chance to stop and reflect. Electronics are generally glued to their person. Apps are available to measure sleep, walking, heart-rate and; whereas in some circumstances, this may be beneficial, it certainly doesn’t promote the notion of ‘switching off.’ We feel the need to be competitive, counting our footsteps or monitoring our performance. Sometimes, true relaxation is what is needed to let your mind rest and reboot; this is when new and exciting ideas can be formed.
At some point in our career; we’ve all hit that wall. For some, it may be a daily task, when the clock strikes four, to make it to the end of the day in a productive manner. A mixture of boredom, tiredness and temptation often lures the office worker to start pointlessly renaming folders or deleting old emails as a ‘productive’ disguise to kill time rather than ploughing on with the more pressing (and less fun) work.
Some fresh air and a brisk walk often clears the mind ready for work. Most people also claim to feel happier after having a stroll around the block – even those who do not make it a regular occurrence. As the famous saying goes; a change is sometimes as good as a break.
A walk in the sunshine can also aid the body’s production of essential vitamins – especially vitamin D. According to the NHS:
‘Vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body. These nutrients are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. A lack of vitamin D can lead to bone deformities such as rickets in children, and bone pain caused by a condition called osteomalacia in adults.’
Stronger bones and muscles contribute to a person’s overall feeling of wellness. Muscles that perform better allow for better fitness levels to be achieved so the body can become healthier still. An energised and well-performing body has a better immune function, which helps to ward off unwelcomed illnesses – so the simple act of walking can actually benefit your body a lot!
According to the British Heart Foundation, ‘around 39% of UK adults – that’s around 20 million people – are failing to meet Government recommendations for physical activity’, this dramatically impacts upon our heart health. A sedentary lifestyle is linked to heart disease, cancers and even diabetes.
By walking regularly, our circulation and lung capacity can be improved, which helps to oxygenate the body, transporting vital nutrients and energy around the body and harmful toxins away. Walking also helps to regulate our blood pressure, which makes for a healthier heart.
Walking is undoubtedly a surefire way of helping to improve your general health. It’s important that we take good care of our bodies to make sure we can function at our best. Another way we can help to safeguard our health is to invest in private health insurance. Finding a health insurance policy that’s tailored to your specific needs will help to give you peace-of-mind, knowing you will get the best cover should any health implications arise. Contact our expert team on 0808 10 18 999, or just fill in our online form to get a call back.
