Walking might not be the first thing on your mind when you wake up in the morning. However, starting your day with a walk can provide you with a plethora of benefits, both physical and mental.
Here are seven reasons why you should start your day with walking.
It gives you a natural burst of energy
Taking a brisk wall in the early morning is a great way to start your day feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Studies suggest that morning walks play a significant role in boosting your energy levels. It also helps to reduce tiredness and fatigue, thus ensuring that you remain energized throughout your day.
It improves your mental health
Morning walks offer incredible benefits for your mental health, such as elevated mood, increased self-esteem, and reduced stress and anxiety. Apart from these, it gives you time alone to think, reflect, and settle your thoughts.
Additionally, morning walks help you to release serotonin and endorphins, hormones that improve your mood and self-esteem.
It helps you to sleep better
Being active enhances the effects of melatonin, your body’s natural sleep hormone, making you sleep better at night. So, morning walks not only make you wake up better, but it also helps you to sleep better.
Further, exposing yourself to the early morning sun will help you set your natural circadian rhythm. In so doing, it will improve your sleeping cycle and sleep quality.
It improves your brain health
Another benefit of morning walks is that it improves your brain health.
Research has found that walking increases brain supply to the brain, which further improves brain functions, such as memory, concentration, and problem-solving. Also, walking is linked to improved brain resistance to Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss.
It improves mental clarity
Morning walks help to improve your mental clarity, ability to concentrate, and creativity.
As mentioned above, morning walks help to release endorphins and serotonin, which are natural mood enhancers. These hormones enable you to think more clearly and reflect better in all situations you find yourself in.
A recent study among adults found that those who engage in morning walks have improved cognitive functions compared to those who don’t. Another research found that walking opens your mind to new ideas better than remaining sedentary.
It improves your heart health
Morning walks help you to keep your heart healthy and prevent heart ailments, such as high blood pressure. It achieves this by reducing your blood pressure, improving blood circulation, and reducing other risks associated with heart disease.
According to The Heart Foundation, walking for an average of 30 minutes daily can reduce your risk of having heart ailments by 35%. Also, the research found that those who walk daily have healthy cholesterol levels. They also have fewer heart-related issues like heart attack and stroke.
It helps you lose weight and reduce the risk of diabetes
Walking is a simple form of exercise that can help you lose weight and prevent diabetes.
A 30-minute morning walk at a moderate pace is enough to burn up to 150 calories. This is good for weight loss and preventing diabetes and other age-related issues.
Additionally, walking at a regular pace increases your body’s insulin sensitivity and maintains your blood sugar levels. These further reduce your risk of diabetes ad facilitates diabetes management if you are already diagnosed with the ailment.
Conclusion
Going on morning walks is a great way to start your day as it offers several health benefits that leave you energized throughout your day.
To maximize this exercise routine, stretch before and after your walks. Also, don’t forget to stay hydrated.
