Benefits of Walking - Heart Foundation Walking in Casey

Benefits of Walking

Benefits of Walking - Heart Foundation Walking in Casey

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Benefits of Walking        

Why Walk?

The Heart Foundation is focused on promoting walking as an activity that is popular, prevalent andrelevant to many Australians in numerous settings. Walking can bring enormous benefits to thecommunity, facilitating people sharing time and space with other community residents. Being

physically active is an important part of leading a healthy lifestyle, and walking is the most accessible and popular way that most people can become more active.

Walking, as part of a healthy lifestyle, can assist with weight loss, help to maintain a healthy weightand improve muscle tone.

How much walking is enough?

For good health, we recommend you walk for 30 or more minutes on most, if not all days of week. More walking will bring additional health benefits, and may Help you maintain a healthy weight. To maximise benefits, walking should be ontinuous (for at least 10 minutes) and at pace. Walking is also beneficial to children's health. Children should participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity, including walking, every day.

Why is walking so good?

• Can be done from your front door - at home, at work, for transport or for enjoyment
• Can be done over any distance, short or long
• Can contribute to improving the environment when you replace short car trips with walking
• Communities that walk together can be friendlier and safer places to live.
• Is a great way for families, friends, workmates, even pets to be active together
• Is an activity that most people can do
• Is free
• Only requires a pair of shoes, and to be sun smart, wear sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat
• Walking can help improve your mental health and well-being. Walking with family, friends,
• neighbours, and workmates is a great way to unwind, share stories of the day and make new friends. Remember, dogs love walking too, so don't forget your four-legged friend.
• Walking can help you feel great
• Walking helps improve your mental health and well-being.
• Walking helps you feel great.
• Walking improves the way your heart and lungs work. It also reduces the impact of several heart disease risk factors and helps rehabilitation following heart attack and stroke.
• Walking is a great way to meet your neighbours and spend time with family and friends.
• Walking is easy and convenient for most people.
• Walking is social and fun, and can even make our community safer.
• Walking with family, friends, neighbours, and work-mates is a great way to unwind, share stories of the day and make new friends. Remember, dogs love walking too, so don t forget your four legged friend.
• Walking, as part of a healthy lifestyle, can assist with weight loss, help to maintain a healthy weight and improve muscle tone.

  Health benefits of walking

Walking improves the way your heart and lungs work. It also reduces the impact of several heart

disease risk factors and helps rehabilitation following heart attack and stroke. At any age, walking

• coronary heart disease
• stroke
• type 2 diabetes
• some forms of cancer
• high blood pressure
• elevated cholesterol
• osteoporosis
• Walking can also improve:
• well-being
• stress levels
• muscle strength and flexibility
• fitness and posture
• bone strength and balance
• respiratory function
• concentration and memory