Science Affirms That Walking Brings Us These 7 Benefits

Argentine poet Miguel Cantilo says that “I know that by covering my eyes I can be much further away without having to walk.” Unfortunately, anyone who follows this teaching could not take advantage of the scientific and psychological benefits of walking.

Now, after this brief brushstroke of humor, let’s get down to business. Walking, in addition to the pleasant effect it provides, has excellent benefits. Science has studied this practice on several occasions and is usually unanimous, it has great advantages, both psychological and physical.

Scientific and psychological benefits of walking

The scientific and psychological benefits of walking begin with the fact that it is a very enjoyable practice. A walk can make you feel better, as it is a low intensity, aerobic exercise that gives us a peaceful time in the midst of the stress of the day.

Among the benefits of a good walk, you can be enjoying a beautiful landscape. Or improve our physical state, which leads to a more optimal mental state. A study from the University of Tennessee, in the United States, concluded that women who walked every day had less body fat than other more sedentary ones. This detail improves the quality of life, in addition to reducing the risk of suffering a clot. What’s more:

It will help you get to sleep better

Walking helps our body release serotonin. This is a neurotransmitter derived from the amino acid known as tryptophan, which increases the production of melatonin. Melatonin regulates sleep cycles, so the walk is optimal for better sleep and higher quality.

Also, serotonin is a great stress manager. It is not strange or a bad idea at all to take a walk when we are feeling restless or anxious. In fact, at the University of Sao Paulo it was shown that walking and aerobic exercise considerably reduced the quality of sleep for a group of people with insomnia.

More and better humor

Do you want to be happy and in a better mood all day? According to the California State University, in the United States, walking not only releases serotonin, but also endorphins. The combination of both are an ideal mix to make you feel much better, as they are related to the popularly known as chemistry of happiness.

Improves life expectancy

The School of Medicine that is located at the University of Michigan, in the United States, affirms that individuals between the ages of 50 and 60 reduce the chances of dying in the next 8 years by 35% just from walking. It is a detail that offers me peace of mind and calms my mind, what about you?

Reduces and prevents cognitive decline

According to a study by the University of San Francisco, in the United States, the more we walk, the slower the deterioration of some of our mental capacities occurs with age. Specifically, in a sample of more than 5,000 subjects 65 years of age or older, walking 3 kilometers a day reduced memory loss by 17%.

Prevents the onset of Alzheimer’s

A very feared disease, which unfortunately sometimes even affects young people, is Alzheimer’s. Unfortunately its course with the means we currently have is unstoppable, however it seems that we have been able to identify some prevention factors. Among these protective variables would be exercise. Specifically, a study from the University of Virginia maintains that 70-year-olds who walk at least half a kilometer reduce the risk of suffering from this dementia by 50%.

Helps us lose or maintain weight

We like it more or less, we live in a world where physical appearance is important. For many people, being in good shape and having an optimal line is perfect to feel more self-confident and confident in their possibilities. No longer for others, but to look and feel better.

Obviously, walking or walking, as an aerobic exercise, improves our fitness. In addition, because it is very moderate exercise, it reduces the impact on the body and reduces the risk of injury. That is why it is perfect for people with joint pain, for example.

But also, as a physical activity that it is, it helps burn fat. In fact, the Journal of the American Dietetic Association reports that women who walk more than 5 hours per week show very low levels of body fat.

Ideal stress reducer

We have already said that walking releases endorphins and serotonin, producing the chemistry of happiness. Not surprisingly, this is a great stress reducer. According to the Journal of Physiological Anthropology, it reduces the levels of cortisol, the hormone resulting from stressful and anxiety states.

You can see that science confirms enormous scientific and psychological benefits of walking. It demands will when we feel so comfortable and warm under the blanket on the sofa at home, especially in these winter months, however in return it brings numerous advantages. If you lack motivation, maybe a pet or a chat with friends while you walk can be the answer. But do not forget that for very little, you can achieve a lot.