Regular exercise is one of the best ways to ensure your musculoskeletal system remains healthy. However, many patients visiting our chiropractor clinic in Stoke on Trent mention they struggle to find the time to exercise each day.
Our advice to these patients is to walk to their letterbox. The next day, walk to the end of the street. Follow that up by walking two blocks. Before you know it, you will begin to feel the positive effects of one of the best forms of exercise available — walking.
Walking can have a dramatic impact on your cardiovascular health, the health of your spine, and your muscle definition.
Our Stoke Chiro Lists The Many Benefits of Walking
1. Eases joint pain
The number one reason why our chiropractor recommends patients visiting our chiropractor clinic in Stoke on Trent start walking regularly is that it can ease pain. Walking strengthens and lubricates the muscles that support the body’s joints. This is very effective at relieving pain in the knees and hips.
2. Boosts your energy levels
Researchers have discovered that going for a walk can boost a person’s energy levels more than drinking a cup of coffee. You can use the energy boost you gain from walking to live a more active life, which improves the condition of your musculoskeletal system even more.
3. Walking helps you lose weight
Carrying excess weight can increase the risk of back pain and other musculoskeletal issues. The additional strain that weight places on the joints often results in swelling or joint pain.
In fact, many people visiting our chiropractor in Stoke on Trent do so because of the toll that excess weight has taken on their body.
The good news is that walking regularly can help you lose weight. Walking for 30 minutes at a moderate pace burns about 150 calories. If you combine your walking regime with a healthy diet and some strength training, you can reach any weight loss goal you set.
4. Reduces stress levels
Stress is a common condition amongst people living the UK. It can have a dramatic impact on your life and can increase the risk of serious health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and depression.
Fortunately, you can reduce your stress levels by making some simple lifestyle changes. Walking just happens to be one of the best lifestyle changes you can make for reducing your stress levels. It has been found to reduce the levels of stress hormones and provide a positive mood boost. To really boost the effectiveness of walking for stress relief, do it outdoors in a beautiful location.
5. Strengthens your legs
Walking is a fantastic way to strengthen your leg muscles, particularly if you walk in a hilly area or up stairs. Having strong legs can have many benefits including helping you lift heavy items — which reduces the risk of a back injury occurring.
6. Better balance
Walking greatly improves your balance, which reduces your risk of injuries like ankle sprains, ligament tears, and bruising that might occur if you should fall. Better balance comes in very handy in all areas of your life, from when you are cleaning your home to competing on a sporting field.
7. Walking is a great way to socialise
Aside from all of the physical benefits of walking it provides an excellent opportunity to socialise. A walk with a friend or family member can bolster your mental health, as you chat, laugh, complain about work, and have a great time together. After your walk, you will inevitably discover that you feel more relaxed and happy compared to when you started walking.
Why not make getting out and walking more one of your New Year’s Resolutions in 2020 and gain the many benefits that walking has to offer!