Do Not Underestimate The Power Of Walking For Heart Health

To keep your heart in good shape, exercise goes hand in hand with a good diet. Exercise doesn’t mean you have to apply for a gym membership or run a marathon. It could be as simple as walking for a few minutes every day to start with, or doing household chores. Walking is one of the simplest ways to stay physically fit. It can do your ticker a world of good. Not to mention how safe a form of exercise it is during these unprecedented times as you can exercise outdoors instead of being cooped up in a gym with others.

The biggest benefit of this exercise form is everyone has access to it. You can perform it almost anywhere, and if you have a treadmill at home, there’s nothing like it. The benefits of physical activity for the health of your ticker cannot be emphasized enough, which boosts heart rate, strengthens your ticker, and increases oxygenated blood flow through the body, helping more oxygen and nutrients to reach your organs. The benefits of exercise in helping reduce body fat, lowering blood pressure, improving cholesterol levels, and keeping blood sugar in check, are also well-known.

So what are you waiting for, just put on your walking shoes and walk on the path to cardiovascular fitness. However, people tend to make some common walking mistakes that this blog aims to discuss.

Choosing the wrong footwear- This is one of the most common mistakes, which can leave you at the receiving end of rubbing, blisters, and usual foot pain. Purchase athletic sneakers, which should fit snugly around your feet. Wearing ill-fitting shoes can lead to the aforementioned problems. For additional support, an orthotic insert can be useful if you feel there’s inadequate support for your feet.

Before putting on a new pair of shoes to go on a walk, it is a good idea to try walking in them around the house so that your feet can get used to it. You can also consult a podiatrist. Diabetics should be extra cautious about their choice of footwear due to greater risk of diabetic neuropathy that takes a toll on the nerves in your feet and legs.

Taking wide steps- Take short steps when you walk for stability and comfort. Not keeping your steps close can lead to pain and overuse injuries like shin splints. Also, steer clear of swinging your arms excessively or too little. Let the movement of your arms take their natural course as you walk. Make sure your shoulders are loose, check every few minutes to avoid putting strain on your shoulders and neck.

Not staying hydrated- Drink water from time to time to keep yourself hydrated. It is a good idea to carry some fluids with you as you head out for a walk of over 30 minutes.

Other mistakes to avoid:

1.      Listening to loud music on your walk

2.      Not devising a walk plan for safety (for example, keep loved ones informed if you’ve chosen a new place to walk)

3.      Walking shouldn’t turn into a leisurely stroll (walk at a moderate intensity to reap its health benefits)

4.      Walking when you are in pain (it may lead to lower back pain or other overuse injuries)

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