Walk for Your Physical and Mental Health
Posted: October 2, 2020 | By: Rocio Ramos
A Small walk can boost Mental Health
Staying active is essential to a long and healthy life. And, staying active doesn’t mean following a strenuous exercise pattern. Low-to-moderate exercise (walking, biking, hiking, etc.) provides many health benefits equivalent, and at times better, than chronic exercise patterns. Studies have shown that moderate exercise helps keep bones and joints healthy, builds muscles, improves sleep, and increases energy levels throughout the day. Plus, some studies are finding that low-to-moderate exercise may also help support a healthy, aging brain.
Moderate Exercise Improves Cognitive Function
Previous research has shown that moderate exercise improves cognitive function in healthy adults. However, a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine looked at the brain function of women who had a history of heart disease or stroke, or were at risk. This study is even more important, because it’s more likely that individuals suffering from a health condition such as high blood pressure or diabetes will also be at risk for brain-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Dementia.
The study looked at close to 3,000 women over the age of 65 who were asked to answer several preliminary questions; including how often they exercised. Several years later, they were asked a series of cognitive and memory tests, on four separate occasions, throughout a 4 to 6 year period. What was found, was the more physically active the woman was, the better she performed on the tests given to her. Most physical activity for these women consisted of 30 minutes or more of daily walking. The women in the study who got little to no exercise daily performed poorly in the tests, which researchers say amounted to a five to seven year difference in cognitive aging.[1]
Staying Active, Walk more
To help everyone boost movement and increase physical activity, Youngevity’s Better Health Challenge has launched a 31 day walking challenge during the month of October! The Walktober fitness challenge is designed to help everyone stay committed on walking every day for 31 days and create healthy habits. Start boosting your mental health now with us!
Stay active and stay health! Prevention is the key!
[1] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/21/exercise-brain-health_n_906157.html?utm_hp_ref=health
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