Do you often find yourself disappointed when things don’t go as planned? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. The truth is, there are a lot of things in life you cannot control. It may be anything happening in the future, or who stays in life. But what if we tell you that there is one aspect of life you can always get a grip on?
What we’re talking about is health. Doesn’t matter if you are in your 20s, 30s, or 50s, you always have the steering wheel of health in your hand.
So, what if we tell you there is a simple way you can turn your health and life around? Neither does it involve going for a 20-minute run nor does it involve going to the gym to lift heavy dumbbells. It simply involves a 30-minute walk every day.
Yes, a 30-min walk. Did it ever occur to you that a simple thing like this can be life-changing in many ways? If not, keep reading to find out how.
Health benefits of a 30-minute walk
How daily walks help physical health?
Lowers cholesterol
High cholesterol is a big red flag for cardiovascular health. This is where walking comes in. Turns out, a 30-minute daily walk can help you lower cholesterol.
Before you understand how, you must know that there are two types of cholesterol in the body – good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. Bad cholesterol blocks the arteries and limits the blood flow to the heart. The good cholesterol controls the bad cholesterol.
Walking increases the amount of good cholesterol in the body, which helps lower the amount of bad cholesterol. Besides that, it promotes collateral vessel formation, ultimately enhancing circulation to the brain and heart.
Lowers blood pressure
Once again, high blood pressure is a BIG NO for the heart. Your blood pressure, and heart, could use a 30-minute walk every day. Regular walks lower the blood pressure by diminishing the stiffness of the blood vessels. This promotes a smoother blood flow.
Helps to manage sugar
There are no two ways that your diet plays an important role in managing blood sugar. However, walking can also come as a helping hand. A 30-minute walk is enough to improve the metabolism, which helps control blood sugar. Controlled blood sugar is essential if you want to control diabetes or prevent it.
Helps in weight loss
Walking is the simplest form of cardio. It burns significant amounts of calories with meagre effort. The calories that you burn during a 30-minute walk can help you lose weight (given that you’re having a balanced diet and are on a calorie deficit)
You boost your immune system
A daily walk may boost your immunity and make you less prone to cold and flu. Walking increases the circulation of blood and immune cells in the body, which can help your body fight diseases and infections better.
Psychological benefits of a 30-minute walk
A 30-minute walk offers the best of both worlds. You will not only be benefitting your physical health but your mental health as well. Here is how
You’re pumped up and productive:
Some of the few things that keep you from becoming your most productive self are laziness, procrastination, lack of focus and concentration, and writer’s block. A short walk can help you with all these issues and help you become your most productive self. How?
Well, for starters, a walk can keep you active and help you freshen up your mind. A fresh mind and an active body are all you need to be your most productive self. And from what we know, productivity is what we need to achieve great things in life.
You find your me-time:
Life happens. You get so busy with professional obligations and personal chores that you don’t find time for yourself. A short walk can definitely give you your me-time. Picture this short walk as your safe place – where you are away from the hustle and bustle and the complications of life. Consequently, you think more, and you think deeply. Three things happen when you catch your thoughts.
- You get clarity
- You may also form a new perspective on life
- You can make informed choices and decisions after giving things considerable thought.
If that is not life-changing, we don’t know what is.
May also help your emotional well-being
If you have been struggling emotionally lately, a short walk is what you may need. Walking can lower stress levels and increase the production of happy hormones. Let’s understand how.
Walking enhances the blood flow to the brain and body. It has a positive impact on your hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is also your central nervous response system. As the HPA axis influences your stress response, you calm your nerves, which can help lower stress.
Closing thoughts: The real challenge is getting started
The only reason you don’t walk daily is because you don’t start. What we mean to say is, that the challenge is not walking but starting. Once you begin walking, you will most likely reach your daily walking goal. It’s all about the start. And what keeps you from starting? Your mind plays tricks on you to keep you from getting out of your bed – remember the last time you thought of walking but you felt lazy? And when your mind told you that it is better you do it tomorrow? The takeaway is, it’s a trap. So, don’t fall prey to it. Don’t let your mind win.
Not to mention, the grass is literally greener on the other side. You’re keeping yourself distant from several benefits if you don’t add walking to your schedule. 30 minutes is all it takes. We repeat, 30 minutes is what you owe to yourself and your well-being.
