Walking is very beneficial to attain good health. Our body and mind attain succour by walking. Walking regularly in the morning and evening keeps our body active. The mind can be happy only in a healthy and active body; and we know that a happy mind and a healthy body does not fall prey to diseases easily. There can be no bigger fortune than having a healthy body and clean mind. Health experts highly recommend regular walking to maintain good health for a long time. Morning walk specially is no less than a blessing for physical and mental health. In addition to being a good exercise, it helps increase the level of calcium and Vitamin D in the body.
Experts say that to stay healthy we should walk at least 6000 steps/day, and to reduce weight, at least 10000 steps/day. According to an authentic report, regular walking can bring down the expenses on health by 330 dollars a year, which is close to Rs 20,000 a year. In earlier times sufficient walking was a part of everyone’s daily routine, but today even small children do not walk as much as in earlier times. According to statistical data, in 1970s 66 percent of kids used to go to school walking, while today this has shrunk down to only 13 percent. This also is a reason why children tend to fall sick more often now than earlier.
It is unfortunate that walking is not so popular these days. People regard walking as undignified and instead prefer to flaunt their affluence by moving around on two wheelers and cars. Some research studies say that walking for 3 to 5 hours a week increases life expectancy of cancer patientsby 50%. Walking for 90 minutes per week has been found to increase life expectancy among prostate cancer patients by up to 50%. The risk of colon cancer is found to be 31% less in women who walk regularly. Walking for one hour and cating 1500 calories in a day can help women control their weight.
Studies indicate that people who walk for 6 to 9 miles a week significantly reduce their susceptibility to the problems of old age like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Dementia is a disease of the nervous system in which a person slowly begins to lose memory; and his cognitive abilities tend to deteriorate. Affected persons begin to need more and more support of others ev
en for their daily activities. Daily walking has been found to improve memory among such people as well.
Scientists say that regular walking helps in increasing the size of hippocampus inside the brain, whereas inactive lifestyles reduce its size which affects the memory. Walking in the momings and evenings releases a neuropeptide called endorphin which gives relaxation to the body and cures mental conditions like anxiety and irritation.
30 minutes of walking everyday reduces the susceptibility to heart diseases. It relieves stress and helps control cholesterol and blood pressure. According to Irish scientists walking is a good exercise to reduce the risk of heart diseases, especially in adults. In a study published in American Jo
umal of Geriatrics Society it has been concluded that among men and women who are 65 years or older, the risk of heart diseases was lower for those who walked regularly for at least 4 hours every week.
As we age, the bones of our body begin to weaken. Habit of walking regularly can help in strengthening the bones. It has been shown that walking helps maintain bone density, as a result of which the risk of osteoporosis, fractures and injuries reduces. Walking is also beneficial to get relief from the aches of bones and muscles. Walking regulates metabolism and keeps the body active. The walking habit, of course, strengthens our muscles as well.
Diabetes is the most common disease that is caused due to inactive and stressful lifestyles. Diet control keeps blood sugar under control. In Type-2 diabetes doctors also advise patients to walk at least 3000-7500 steps every day. Regular walking can help control blood sugar levels. which, in turn, helps in reducing the susceptibility to Type-2 diabetes.
The habit of morning walks can also help in increasing intelligence. Walking helps in maintaining adequate supply of glucose and oxygen to the brain and this helps in better functioning of brain. It reduces the level of LDL cholesterol which is a major cause for obstruction in arteries and so walking reduces the risk of heart strokes. So, walking helps in maintaining the efficiency of the blood circulation system and improves the functioning of the neuronal system of the brain.
More than a million people die in our country due to cancer every year. Scientists say that inactive lifestyle is one of the main causes for cancer. Walking helps in reducing weight which also reduces the risk of cancer. Even the side effects of chemotherapy have been found to reduce by walking
Walking is beneficial to strengthen our immune system. Walking for minimum 30 minutes a day improves the functioning of B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes (types of white blood cells) and this helps the body fight diseases and regain good health quickly.
Thus, the habit of walking, especially during the morning and evening hours is very beneficial to keep the body as well as the mind healthy or to regain health. Pujya Gurudev Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya used to walk regularly. Other great saints like Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Vivekanand, Lokmanya Tilak, Vinoba Bhave etc. also had the same habit. We also must adopt walking as an essential activity in our daily schedule.
Akhand Jyoti
Jan-Feb 2019