Take a Walk!

By Orchid Health, for The Mountain Times

Looking for a simple way to improve your health? Try taking a walk!

You don’t need a gym membership, special equipment, or a complicated workout plan. A comfortable pair of shoes and a few minutes can be all you need to get started.

Walking regularly can help you live longer and feel better. Research shows that people who take at least 7,000 steps a day have a much lower risk of suffering complications from disease than people who walk about 2,000 steps – and the good news is that you don’t have to reach 7,000 steps to benefit. Even small increases in daily walking can make a difference. Walking is also good for your heart. Regular walks can lower your risk of heart disease and stroke, and one of the biggest benefits comes from simply going from sitting most of the day to getting up and moving for about 30 minutes. 

Your body benefits in other ways, too. Walking can help lower blood pressure, improve blood sugar and cholesterol, and reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes –  and the benefits aren’t just physical. Walking can lift your mood and may lower your risk of depression. For older adults, regular walking can also help maintain strength and balance, reduce the risk of falls, and support healthy brain function.

Perhaps the best part is that walking is easy to fit into everyday life. You can walk around your neighborhood, take the stairs, walk with a friend, or take a short stroll after dinner. If 30 minutes feels like too much, start with 10 minutes. You can always build from there. Don’t worry about reaching a perfect number of steps. Just start moving a little more than you do today. A daily walk may seem like a small thing, but those small steps can add up to a healthier heart, a better mood, and a healthier life.

Are you interested in increasing your steps? Join Orchid’s walking group! Mondays at 10:00 a.m. and Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. Meet us in front of the clinic, all you need to bring is your walking shoes!

Have a question to ask us? Please submit to contacthoodland@orchidhealth.org. We will continue to answer community questions in future articles!