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Thursday 2 March 2017

Take a walk: it's good for you!

Sidmouth is very walkable:
Futures Forum: Oh, go take a walk... in Sidmouth

It's a very good way to get a feel for the town and valley:
Futures Forum: Place-making and getting a sense of place

And every year, a festival celebrates the variety of paths around and about:
Futures Forum: Sidmouth Walking Festival: Saturday 17th to Sunday 25th September

Walking is actually very good for you:
Why a walking workout is good for your body | Daily Mail Online

As this very full piece reminds us:

50 Amazing Benefits of Walking Daily, According to Science

Daily walking has more health benefits than sporadic heavy exercising. It not only helps you feel good, it will help you look good as well. Exercise does not have to be harsh and difficult. A simple brisk walk each day can greatly improve your health.
Here are 50 amazing health benefits, according to science.

1. Walking Can Trim Your Waistline

If you are beginning to notice a midriff bulge, a regular daily brisk walk can help get rid of it. With a steady regular brisk walking schedule you will have flat abs in no time.
The important thing to remember is your technique for walking should be correct. Hold your head up, looking straight ahead, not at the ground.
Keep your neck, shoulders and back relaxed. Walking with stiffness will be very tiring and leave you sore afterwards.
Swing your arms naturally, with a slightly bent elbow. Tighten your stomach muscles just a bit. Breathe deeply as you walk, and enjoy yourself.

2. Daily Walking Can Improve Your Heart Health

Walking daily has been proven to decrease the chances of a person developing heart disease.
A study of 229 postmenopausal women had one group walk one mile a day and the other group to do what they normally do every day. After 10 years, the study showed that the group that walked on a regular basis, had 82 percent lower risk of heart disease.
Some people use the electronic devices that count their steps each day. If you do this,and you take 10,000 steps per day, you will have a positive effect on your heart as well.
When possible, take the stairs rather than an elevator. Walking is a good activity for a healthy heart.

3. Reduce Arthritis Pain

If you walk for 30 to 60 minutes every day, you will get the best arthritis pain relief naturally. Walking helps reduce inflammation and stiffness in your joints.
When you start, go at a slower pace and gradually build up to walking faster and longer. You will feel great.

4. Improve Mental Attitude

Daily walking has shown to be very helpful for lifting a person’s mental attitude. It can give you a few minutes to clear the cobwebs in your head, through breathing in fresh air and connecting with the environment.

5. Reduce Excess Weight

One of the most obvious benefits of daily walking is that you will be able to gradually reduce excess weight that you have been carrying around.
If you walk at a good clip, and for at least 30 to 45 minutes each day, you will begin to notice that your clothes are a bit looser. Keep it up and you may need a new wardrobe.

6. Manage High Blood Pressure

It has been reported that walking daily can lower blood pressure naturally. Many people claim they don’t have time to do a 30 or 45 minute walk each day.
Good news! New studies show that several 10 minute brisk walks can be as helpful as one longer walk.
Walk in the morning for 10 minutes. Take a 10-minute stroll at lunchtime and then again after work.

7. Help Manage Type-2 Diabetes

It is claimed that exercise is almost as important as diet in controlling type-2 diabetes.
Walking is one of the best forms of exercise you can do. It is easy, free and low impact.
You will get more than one benefit from walking to control your diabetes. It is very healthy and refreshing.
When the weather permits, walk outside. When it is not possible to do that, walk inside a mall.

8. Improve Your Balance and Coordination

Staying active helps with balance and coordination. You need to use your muscles tokeep them working well. Walking is a great way to keep your muscles working, especially those in your legs and arms.

9. Strengthen Your Bones

Osteoblasts are the cells in your bones that build new bone. They respond well to added stress. That means if you have not been walking and you start, your bones will get stronger because you are adding stress.
Walking is the best way to do this. If you are already walking, you need to add something to your walk. Maybe a few more minutes would do the trick.

10. Reduce Size of Your Buttocks

Obviously. doing any exercise that uses the muscles in your behind will cause them to tighten up a bit and get your derriere in better shape. Eventually you may need some new walking pants.

11. Reduce Body Fat

Walking will help reduce the overall amount of body fat you are carrying around.
Many people don’t think much about body fat and are more concerned with their weight.
Body fat is something to think about as well. Walking daily will definitely reduce the amount of body fat you have and increase your muscles.

12. Increase Your Lifespan

Studies show that walking daily will extend your life as well as make you feel better. There are so many benefits to walking that it can’t help but extend your life and improve it as well. You will be able to move more freely for a lot longer.

13.Reduce Stress

Mental stress is a problem for most busy people these days.
There are so many things to think about and deal with, that sometimes you feel like you are running from one thing to another all-day long.
Research shows that a brisk 20 to 30 minute walk every day can reduce mental stress. It is said to have the same effect as a mild tranquilizer.

14.Good for Your Brain

Exercise helps the brain protect memory and the ability to think clearly. A study done at the University of British Columbia, found that regular aerobic exercise boosts the sizeof the hippocampus.
This is the part of the brain involved in verbal memory and learning. Brisk walking for 45 minutes is considered aerobic exercise.
It has the same benefits as working out with gym equipment. This is a great way to keep dementia at bay.
The parts of the brain that control thinking and memory are larger in people who exercise versus those who don’t.
If you have not been exercising at all, starting a regular walking program can help increase your brain size, so it’s never too late to start.

50 Amazing Benefits of Walking Daily, According to Science - Jen Reviews
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