Read about the benefits of walking for fitness with handy resources, links and statistics, with particular emphasis on the benefits of walking for the elderly.
In the UK, 1 in 4 adults are obese and when you get older, obesity can be extremely dangerous, adding to natural health risks that can be associated with the process of ageing. Even without being overweight, being unfit in general as you age is potentially risky. Being frail in middle age is known to raise your chance of an early death and high blood pressure in middle age increases your risk of dementia.
The earlier you can work on your health and fitness, the better your chances of living an independent, healthy later life.
You might automatically think that requires you to start doing yoga everyday, or be running miles or taking part in complex exercise classes but that really needn’t be the case. Instead, why not think about the most basic way to stay fit, and instead embrace the simplicity of walking.
Walking is one of the easiest ways to get into, and remain, in shape. To encourage you to discover the joy of walking for fitness, here are just some of the ways that walking can help your health:
It Helps You Lose/ Maintain Weight
As you get older you can be prone to gaining weight because you move less and you might not adapt your diet to the need for fewer calories. Walking is a really great way to lose weight and to maintain a healthy weight as it enables you to expend energy and burn calories with ease.
It Helps Keep The Heart Healthy
Heart health is so important, especially as you age. Walking is an excellent way to keep your heart healthy as it increases your heart rate, lowering your risk of heart disease and raised blood pressure.
Walking Helps To Reduce Your Risk Of Getting Type-2 Diabetes
Type-2 diabetes is mainly preventable with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Walking regularly can help you to reduce your risk of getting type-2 diabetes in later life.
Your Bones Stay Strong
Strong bones are important for your physical health, especially when it comes to reducing your risk of falling and breaking a bone. Walking helps to keep your bones strong, lowering your risk of breaking bones.
Your Mental Health Benefits
There are many mental health benefits to walking. Being outside in nature helps us to keep perspective, it promotes a sense of wellbeing, the exercise helps to boost mood and the social side of walking (if you walk with a group) helps prevent loneliness. Walking is an extremely mindful activity when in nature and is known to do wonders for emotional health.
These are just some of the many health benefits of walking, and for each individual there will be additional benefits that are unique to their situation. If you would like to walk more or be more active but you are struggling with mobility, or simply coping at home without even thinking about additional activities, it could be time to use home care services.
Home care agencies offer carers who can provide help and support to clients in their own home. This could be on a visiting basis or a live-in care basis depending on your needs. Home care agencies provide carers who are trained and qualified to provide care to their clients.
This could be exactly what you need to feel able to go on walks again, and to regain your fitness. To have the energy to enjoy yourself again because you have help with the tasks you struggle with at home.
