At present we are all at the mercy of circumstances beyond our control – that is a given. The so-called “new normal” is also taking its toll on our health. However, the fact that we have a legitimate excuse, could contribute to a large extent to a new sedentary lifestyle, with more hours in front of a laptop screen than we can health-wise afford.
Shall we be honest and call a spade a spade? Physical laziness is what we are inflicting on ourselves. Medical research has discovered an easy, no-cost solution to five serious health problems:
- One study found with a 1000 people found that those who walked 30 to 45 minutes each day, had fewer respiratory tract and chest infections. They reported over 40 percent fewer days off sick, compared with their lazier colleagues.
- Anxiety symptoms can be relieved by a 10-minute daily walk. Studies have found that a brisk short walk could be just as effective as a 45-minute workout.
- Spending hours behind a desk will affect your joints. Walking lubricates the joints and strengthens the surrounding muscles. It will improve joint health in the spine, knees, hips, and ankles remarkably.
- Researchers claim that walking for 30 minutes a day, five days per week, can lower your risk of heart disease by 19 percent.
- A study found that breaking up a 45-minute walk into three 15-minute walks after meals, has a marked influence on regulating blood sugar levels. This healthy habit, researchers advise, shows better results than an extended walk.
Sitting, they say, is the new smoking – it is as detrimental to your health. Creativity researchers have also discovered a definite link between walking and creative or clear thinking.
What are we waiting for? Let’s get up and walk it off!!
