Walking is one of the best exercises to benefit your overall health, particularly for seniors. One of the great things about walking is, it’s a basic exercise that does not require anything other than comfortable shoes! Walking has many amazing health benefits:
What are the benefits to walking?
Strengthen muscles
Promotes a healthy weight
Helps reduce blood pressure
Strengthen bones and helps prevent osteoporosis
Improves sleep
Lowers the risk for heart disease, stroke, colon cancer, and diabetes
Improves balance and coordination—important for preventing falls
Strengthens the immune system
Raises energy levels
Reduces anxiety and depression
Help reduce blood pressure in some people with hypertension.
Keeps joints flexible
Improves social life – walking is a great way to get out and meet people or socialize with your friends.
Walking without the help of someone else is one of the strongest indicators of whether someone can live independently. Older adults who exercise regularly are more likely to walk without assistance and do things for themselves around the house.
Before you get started
Consult your physician before you get started, especially if you haven’t exercised for a while. If they have any concerns about walking for exercise, ask if there are some alternative activities you can do. Although walking has many benefits for seniors, precautions must be taken to ensure that it is the proper activity for you personally.
