It’s a beautiful time of year in Massachusetts, it’s time to get outside before the winter sets in and take a walk to see the changing foliage or walk Salem during the Salem Haunted Happenings month-long Halloween celebration. You’ll get all the benefits of walking and seeing some beautiful sights or have some family fun. Experiencing Massachusetts on foot in the fall provides enjoyment, while also improving your overall fitness. Don’t limit it to one day a month. Walk at least a half hour every day for the best results.
Do what you can do and build from there.
If you can only walk a few blocks, walk them. If you’re completely out of shape and aren’t sure how far you can walk, do a few blocks and return home. If you still feel you can do more, turn around and do the same walk again. Making short loops helps if you aren’t sure where your limits are or how soon you’ll be exhausted. You don’t want to get too far away from home and not be able to walk back again.
You’ll get heart-healthy benefits when you walk.
People don’t wear out, they rust out. If you don’t use your physical abilities, you lose them, at least temporarily. Making your heart work a little harder provides benefits. Walking at higher speeds can be just the aerobic exercise you need, yet it’s so simple you might not realize it. Walking helps lower blood pressure, reduces bad cholesterol, and makes your heart stronger. The more you walk, the more efficiently it pumps. It can help you lose weight, which is also good for the heart.
You’ll reduce your risk of diabetes when you consistently walk.
Exercise of all types can help reduce the risk of insulin resistance, a precursor of diabetes. It can help your blood sugar remain more level, even after a meal. It can help fight off the afternoon slump that can occur when high blood sugar levels start to drop. It’s one reason people often take a walk, especially after a big dinner. Even a short two to five-minute walk can help.
- Why do people pace when they’re nervous? The answer is simple. Walking helps reduce stress. Walking can increase your heart rate. That helps lower your stress level. By reducing stress, you help reduce the risk of serious conditions caused by stress.
- Walking increases circulation and that helps in many ways. One way is by boosting your brain power. Walking reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s, depression, and dementia.
- The increased blood flow increases the body’s antibodies. It also helps boost beneficial microbes in your gut that boost your immune system and also aid digestion.
- Walking increases blood flow to the joint cartilage and lubricates the joints. It reduces the risk of osteoporosis and helps you sleep. Even though there are many benefits, always check with your healthcare professional before starting a walking program.
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