Moving around is essential for good health. Too much rest and a sedentary lifestyle are very easy to accomplish in today’s modern world. We have an abundance of work saving, time saving and cheap solutions to physical work. But it is this very rest and relaxation that is harmful to our bodies.
It’s proven in experiments that brisk walking five times per week for thirty minutes will:
- Ease chronic pain
- Lubricate cartilage (activity causes fluid pumping in tissues without active circulation systems)
- Activate your endogenous opioid system (Non-addictive natural runner’s high)
- Activate parts of your brain
- Decrease stress
- Improve sleep quality
- Improve mood
- Reduce depression
- Reduce anxiety
- Promote confidence
- Increase bone density
- Improve muscle mass and strength
That’s a long list of positive outcomes for something so simple. Doctors need to start asking about activity and prescribing brisk walks for all patients who are sedentary. And if you don’t see a doctor and don’t move a lot, self prescribe a brisk walk a few times per week.
I’m looking at you America!