One of the best (and simplest) ways to improve and maintain your health

Most people don't have the time or desire to go to the gym every day, and many people simply find the thought to be daunting. Instead of worrying about gym memberships and overwhelming facilities, simply take a quick walk first thing in the morning. Walking in the morning on a regular basis will result in multiple health benefits and it is sure to enhance not only physical health but also mental and emotional well-being. Curious about whether an early-morning stroll would help your health, energy, and overall well-being? Take a look at the following few points and decide for yourself.

Walking gives you the energy to start your day

We've discussed in a previous article how drinking 12 to 18 ounces of water first thing is a great way to get an energy boost, but did you know that taking a brisk walk in the morning will help to quickly activate your body's systems?

Your pulse rate rapidly increases, perspiration begins to flow, and you suddenly feel a level of alertness about yourself and your environment. Circulation and hormonal balance improve while your feeling of mental sharpness and general refreshment skyrocket. Ironically enough, by using energy to exercise, we actually become more energetic. Once we begin walking in the morning, this improvement in mood may last throughout the entire day.

I don't have time, I'll do it later.

One problem many of us generally face with exercise is procrastination, which can lead to total avoidance of the exercise we so desperately need to achieve better health. Walking in the morning creates a healthy routine that we will start to do without going through the endless mental process of questioning whether or not you “feel" like exercising.

Lower the risk of diabetes

Diabetes is one of the most predominant lifestyle-related diseases these days. But you can tame this metabolic disorder with a simple brisk morning walk. According to research, a 30-minute morning walk can help improve blood sugar control as well as aid the management of insulin in Type II diabetes. It allows the cells in the muscles to use up more glucose, helps burn body fats that are not needed, and also aids in improving the Body Mass Index (BMI). This benefits diabetics immensely.

Prevents Arthritis and Osteoporosis

Leading an inactive life has many negative effects on the body, including stiff joints. The stiffness of joints can further lead to the development of the symptoms of arthritis. Recent studies suggest that moderate, vigorous physical activity, such as walking for five days or more in a week, can help relieve arthritis pain and stiffness and give you more energy. Moreover, women are prone to losing bone density and developing osteoporosis. Walking gently exercises the joints and strengthens them along with improving bone density.

Controls Cholesterol

The body needs a certain amount of cholesterol to maintain optimum health and build cell membranes. However, there is a greater risk of heart problems when there is an excessive amount of blood lipids, especially when they are in the form of LDL cholesterol. At the same time, low amounts of HDL can also be harmful. Following an active lifestyle and including activities like walking is an excellent way to make sure the levels of cholesterol in your body are regulated.

Protects Against Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a condition that is caused by arteries that are blocked due to plaque or LDL cholesterol depositions on the arterial walls. The block occurs in the inner walls of arteries in organs such as the brain, kidneys, heart, and legs. Blood flow gets restricted, and the circulation of blood does not occur properly. Regular morning walks can protect you from this condition and make sure that blood flow and circulation are not restricted.

Start the day well, end the day well.

You have to wake up early for your morning walks so you want to make sure you're getting a good nights rest. What can help you achieve a good nights rest? You guessed it, a brisk morning walk. A study was done that showed that walking greatly helped reduce the time it took participants to fall asleep and helped chronic insomniacs get more hours of rest than they would have otherwise. In fact, it's been shown that a 7am walk can lead to a 75% increase in deep sleep.

Of course, sleep also influences exercise. So, walking and snoozing pretty much go hand in hand. A restful night recharges your body and makes you more motivated to stick with your routine. Ever try exercising when you're exhausted? It's not an easy thing to do.



So there you have it, just a few of the many advantages and benefits of incorporating a morning walk into your daily routine.