Walking This Way Can Add 20 Years to Your Life

Fast vs slow walking

A study published in the International Journal of Obesity revealed that people who walk slowly are up to four times more likely to die from severe cases of COVID-19.  In addition, have more than double the chance of contracting severe cases of the virus than their brisk-walking counterparts.

The leading scientists knew that factors such as obesity and body-mass were key risk predictors of how well we cope with the virus.  However, the study was the first to shed light on the connection between fitness levels and COVID.

Fast walkers have been shown to generally have good cardiovascular and heart health. Thus, making them more resilient to external stressors, including viral infection. But this hypothesis has not yet been established for infectious disease. It is the view that … research surveillance studies should consider incorporating simple measures of physical fitness, such as self-reported walking pace in addition to BMI.  As, as potential risk predictors of COVID-19 outcomes that could ultimately enable better prevention methods that save lives.

The single biggest reason yet why you should take more brisk walks every day.

“Fast walkers can live up to 20 years longer,” Researcher David Yates told The Daily Mail. “It improves cardiovascular fitness, which is a measure of how efficient your heart is, and your ability to utilize oxygen, which is an indicator of fitness.”

Several studies back him up. For example, a big study published in 2015 found that a brisk 20-minute walk every day could reduce your risk of death by upwards of 30%.

Even if you’re not brisk walking, you can reap some of the benefits of walking more. As William Kraus, MD, a professor at the Duke University Molecular Physiology Institute, once revealed to The New York Times how “the little things people do every day.”   Surprisingly, things such as walking while shopping and climbing escalators “can and do add up and affect the risk for disease and death.” Kraus oversaw an eye-opening study published in 2018 that found that those who move around for small periods, and lightly exercised for fewer than 20 minutes every day, had a much lower chance of dying earlier.

For the record, brisk walking is generally defined as walking fast enough that your breathing becomes heavier, and while you can talk, you can’t sing. 

The Benefits

1. You’ll Be Smarter

Scientists have linked brisk walking, along with other forms of moderate exercise with a fertile brain and better cognitive performance. One study, published by APA PsycNet, found that exercising more is associated with the creation successful innovations. (After all, some of history’s greatest thinkers, from Plato to Steve Jobs, were committed walkers.)

2. You’ll Sleep Better

Scientists have shown that taking a brisk, early morning walk outside is crucial for resetting your biological clock every day and ensuring that you get sounder sleep later on.

3. You’ll Be Less Stressed

No shocker here. But according to The Mayo Clinic, brisk walking can ease symptoms associated with depression and anxiety. Basically, releasing endorphins (which will “enhance your sense of wellbeing”), distract your mind and help you build confidence.  In addition, you’ll meet exercise goals or challenges, even small ones, can boost your self-confidence, and help you cope by doing something positive to manage depression or anxiety.

4. You’ll Burn Calories

Generally speaking, a 20-minute brisk walk should require you roughly 2,000 to 3,000 steps, which will carry you the distance of roughly one mile, and will result in 90 to 110 calories burned. Walk longer, and more frequently, and walking can indeed help you lose more weight.

Article by William Mayle for EatThis,NotThat.com

Photo credit: ETNT

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