Walking: your greatest superpower

Hippocrates famously claimed that “walking is the best medicine.” He wasn’t wrong. Our bodies are built for regular movement. Despite that being true, our modern world isn’t built for regular periods of movement. As a society, we spend less time outdoors than ever before. The National Human Activity Pattern Survey (NHAPS) completed a two year study which showed people in the U.S. spent 87% of their time in the artificial environment of offices, houses, shops and other buildings. This sedentary lifestyle is not only unhealthy, but also leads to a decline in strength and muscle volume while increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome.

Overall, lower levels of physical activity are associated with changes in general cognitive function and given what we know, simple changes, like walking, is a viable way to reverse these negatives. While just standing up leads to immediate changes in blood flow and blood pressure, walking creates widespread change throughout the body and brain. Yes, walking is good for the obvious reasons, heart health, weight management, and others, however some areas that might surprise you include its effects on weight promoting genes, taming sugar cravings, boosting immune function, and even easing joint pain.

Walking is one of the simplest, most beneficial activities you can add into your life. There are several ways to incorporate it into your day-to-day. Tips include walking first thing in the morning to set your circadian rhythm, after meals to lower insulin spikes and control sugar levels and in the evening to unwind before bed and prepare your body for rest and relaxation. Don’t overthink it. Start small and work your way up! And remember, we’re here to support you!