Taking a stroll along the beach or parking lot in the mornings or evenings is not a leisure activity alone anymore. It is a subtle exercise that gives one immense benefit to the mind as well as the body.
If your target is to get rid of the ailments or to protect oneself from various conditions, to control high blood pressure and heart diseases, or to safeguard from stroke, cancer and type 2 diabetes, the quickest remedy is walking.
Some of the benefits of walking at a good pace help you maintain a healthy weight and lose body fat, improve cardiovascular fitness, enhance the bones and muscles and improve muscle endurance depending upon the pace, duration, steps and the like in your walk, according to experts.
“Walking is one of the most underrated forms of exercise and it is one of the best and most economical forms of exercise. Regular walking is not only a good, pleasant, and productive exercise but also spawns ideas and creative thinking that can be pinned down’’, shared Ishwar S Deshmukh, Head of Physical Education Department Indian School Salalah.
He explained, one part at a time, one day at a time, we can accomplish any goal we set for ourselves. Walking is low impact and with minimal equipment can be done at any time of the day at your own pace. You can be out and walk without worrying about the risks that are analogous with some more robust forms of exercise. Walking is also a great form of physical activity for people who are overweight, elderly or who haven’t exercised for a long time. This fun and healthy activity can be made an entertaining and societal part of your lifestyle.
“Make walking a daily routine with the same amount of energy at your convenient time. When walking becomes a societal part of your lifestyle, it boosts the urge to walk daily in an individual. People sometimes find keeping an activity diary or log makes it easier in pursuing this workout. Undoubtedly, walking is an activity that one loves to do at his/ her own pace,’’, said the doctor who is also a passionate peripatetic.
“The pandemic lockdown was a Blessing in disguise for me as I got into the habit of regularly walking in the morning. Initially, I enjoyed the walk at my own pace by listening to the music in nature’’, he said.
After making this a routine, he started exerting himself by going at a greater pace with the increase in distance, setting a daily target of 10 km in less than 80 minutes. The pedometer on the phone helped him a lot to achieve the target in the stipulated time.
The doctor said that the feeling of satisfaction upon completion dominates the feeling of exhaustion. The daily walk of 10 km boosted him and became a source of motivation to test his physical and mental strength. This will lead to him eventually participating in the ‘Virtual Mini Marathon’ on September 19, 2020. Although it was a run, he walked to complete the stretch in less than 3 hours.
“While the physical benefits are notable, the mental boost that can be gleaned from adding a walk to your daily routine may be more immediate. Walking improves fitness, prevents weight gain, depression and fatigue, improves mood and endurance, helps in blood circulation, lowers your disease risk, increases your heart health, reduces stress on joints and above all makes you happy as compared to running,’’, the doctor added.
In honour of one of his favourite activities, he lists some five reasons to lace on some comfortable shoes and hit the pavement/ path/track everyday.
1) Your Health — Moderate daily exercise is essential for good health, and walking is a great exercise. Of course, most people know exercise is great for the heart. It may surprise you that the walkers are two-and-a-half times less likely to die of cancer than their sedentary peers.
2) The Environment — Walking is even easier on the earth than cycling. No one has to mine molybdenum, titanium, aluminium, or smelt steel for you to hit the pavement. All you need is a comfortable pair of shoes (which you probably own anyway). The more trips we make on foot, the cleaner our air, water and planet will be.
3) Fresh Air — I believe one develops behavioural problems due to lack of outdoors activities. Spending time in nature is undoubtedly good for children and adults alike. A daily walk allows you to note the gradual shifts in the seasons, watch the sunrise or set, keep track of the moon’s cycles, breathe in the fresh air, explore the vast variety of plants and animals, and just be a part of the natural world.
4) Family and Neighbourhood Connections — A daily after-dinner stroll is not only good for digestion but also a great time to catch up with your spouse or kids and get to know your neighbours.
5) Last but not certainly the least, it’s easy — My favourite thing about walking is how easy it is to incorporate into one’s daily life. Just lace on some shoes set a comfortable pace, and enjoy the scenery.
Dr Deshmukh concluded with a quote: “As you start to walk out on the way, the way appears”.
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