Cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes… Walking helps reduce the risk of many diseases and therefore increases our life expectancy.
Boost our happiness hormones
On a mental level, walking reduces anxiety, decreases depressive symptoms and increases self-esteem. the Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatment even recommends walking as an effective treatment for depression. And these benefits, we owe them mainly to endorphin, serotonin and dopamine or more commonly called the hormones of happiness. The more you walk, the more oxygen will increase in the body. The brain will then release these hormones. The phenomenon has been observed in athletes.
« The work of Inserm has scientifically established the benefits of walking to prevent mental disorders on the very broad spectrum, which ranges from the stress of modern life to depression. Walking releases the endorphins that contribute to our feeling of well-being, allows us to better situate ourselves in our lives and strengthen our self-esteem. “, explains Dr Guillaume Schneider-Maunoury, to Health Magazine.
Reduce anxiety
Being distracted also plays a role. By walking, we focus on the physical effort and more really on the mind which can take a short break. In addition, walking improves the quality of sleep, which drastically reduces anxiety. It is enough to walk 30 to 40 minutes several times a week for decompression, to calm down but also to see more clearly by avoiding mental rumination. It is an excellent cognitive booster and a natural tranquilizer. The environment also matters since walking outside in nature has been proven to decrease depression and anxiety. Walking in a group also helps to break isolation.
Also to discover: 4 ways to make walking (even) more useful
Find yourself with yourself
Be careful, the positive effects can be felt only if it is not a question of wanting to improve your body image or enter into a logic of performance. The goal is to literally move on to something better. When you feel stuck, to act, to look elsewhere, around you and to broaden your horizon. We move away from the over-solicitation of everyday life. There is a bit of a dimension of spiritual quest in the walk. This is an opportunity to find yourself with yourself, to start an inner dialogue to find harmony between body and head.
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