It’s a well-known fact that regular physical activity is good for the health: it improves posture and gait, promotes heart rate, improves brain function, burns calories, it’s good for the mood… the list goes on. But since the most common excuse for not exercising is a lack of time (of course, sometimes it’s not an excuse but a consequence of a busy life), we have some good news for you. A recent study has shown that even a 15-minute daily walk has great health benefits and can expand lifespan.
The Health Benefits
Numerous studies have proven that regular physical activity has great effects on our health and mood. But thanks to the findings of a recent study, we now know that even 15 minutes of daily walking can have great health benefits. For instance, this study reported that regular moderate physical activity like walking is associated with a 22% lower risk of mortality for people over 60.
In essence, the more active you are, the healthier you’ll be. But if for whatever reason you cannot afford to be highly active, even small amounts of physical activity can make a huge difference.
1. Improve Your Heart Health
Daily walks will lower your blood pressure, regulate your blood sugar and lower your cholesterol – all great things for your heart (and overall health)!
2. Improve Your Brain Health
A 15-minute daily walk will boost your concentration, focus and attention. Studies have also shown that exercise increases the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, whose function is to create new neurons and protect the existing ones.
3. Improve Your Mood
Even short walking sessions can do wonders for our mood: walking clears our minds, increases our awareness and makes us feel happier. In fact, a wide range of studies have shown that one of the best ways to deal with depression is to walk in nature. This releases endorphins and ultimately makes us feel better.
4. Burn Calories
If you struggle with weight loss, short walking sessions could solve the problem. Although a 15-minute walk may seem too short to actually work, know that we burn about 100 calories in 15 minutes of brisk walking.
