Sometimes, being healthy can seem overly complicated and expensive. While the foods you should and shouldn’t eat seem to change all the time, workout machines continue to rise in price and complexity.
However, achieving a healthier lifestyle can be as simple as going outside for a brisk walk more often. But why should you start walking and how? In this post, you’ll learn about the benefits of this exercise for your body and spine as well as tips to get going.
Benefits of Walking
Although you may already be familiar with some of the ways walking and other physical activity can help your body, you may not be aware of others. In addition to reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease, improving your lung function, and increasing your muscle strength, walking can help you maintain a healthy spine.
As Newton’s first law of motion states, if you remain sedentary, you’ll remain that way and find it hard to move. Obviously, you can’t constantly be in motion, but if you want to be more active and healthier, walking is a great way to start, regardless of your age or current health. Your musculoskeletal structure is designed for walking, and this exercise is milder than running, playing certain sports, and other forms of activity that can put pressure on joints.
How to Get Walking
Unfortunately, life will present countless reasons for remaining sedentary, but there are steps you can take to make starting this exercise easier.
- Choose a time to go on a brisk walk and put it into your schedule as an essential appointment, whether it’s before you start the day, during your lunchbreak, or after work.
- Ask a friend to join you to not only keep you accountable but also to socialize and connect.
- Instead of walking aimlessly, have goals in mind, whether it’s in mileage, steps, or time.
- Use technology to your advantage by downloading a walking or fitness app to help you track your progress, but don’t look down at your phone while you’re walking.
- Practice healthy posture while you walk with shoulders back, chin parallel to the ground, and land on your feet heel to toe.
- Have quality walking shoes that support your feet.
- Visit your chiropractor regularly to ensure that your spine and other joints are properly aligned, that you know healthy walking posture, and that back or neck pain can be resolved.
As you follow these tips, you can more easily start walking and being healthier. You should find that the more you move the more energy and capacity you have to stay active!
About the Author
Dr. Zinovy Chukhman has more than 20 years of clinical experience as a chiropractor and graduated from Parker College of Chiropractic, one of the country’s most respected chiropractic schools. He encourages patients to lead healthy lifestyles through good nutrition and appropriate exercise and would be happy to help you be able to do so. To schedule an appointment with him, contact AlignRight Chiropractic online or call 972-907-2800.
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