Fitness
You already know that walking and other physical activities help prevent and manage arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Get these benefits from walking, too:
* Relieve tension and stress.
* Get more energy.
* Improve balance and lower the risk for falling.
* Get better sleep.
* Boost you overall mood.
Walking briskly at 3 miles per hour is a great way for adults to get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week (30 minutes a day). Children need 60 minutes of physical activity a day.
* Plan walking into your daily / weekly schedules. Split 30 minutes into two 15-minute or three 10-minute sessions.
* Wear a good pair of walking shoes that fit well and absorb shock. Look straight ahead when you walk.
* Don’t make the excuse that you have no time to exercise.
* Don’t text while you are walking. Don’t listen to music if it hinders hearing sounds around you.
© American Institute for Preventive Medicine