Fitness fads come and go. But there is one physical activity that has stood the test of time and proven to be the essential elixir for warding off disease, illness, and even delaying ageing.
Best of all, it’s free and almost anyone can do it.
It’s walking. Yep, turns out that a simple walk for around an hour a day is the best thing you could ever do to enjoy as long a life as possible.
So if you want to live forever, you might want to lace up your walking shoes and head outside!
New study confirms the benefits of walking
The National Cancer Institute in the United States recently released a report that doing three to five times the amount of recommended exercise produces the best benefits when it comes to longevity.
American health organisations recommend at least 2.5 hours of moderate intensity exercise each week (or 1.25 hours if you’re doing intense activities).
In Australia, the recommendation is the same – 2.5 to 5 hours of moderate exercise every week. The Australian Government also advises doing muscle strengthening at least 2 days a week.
The Cancer Institute study found that people who did the recommended minimum of activity had a 31 percent decreased risk of death than people who did nothing at all.
Interestingly, those who exceeded the recommended exercise amount by three to five times had a 39 percent decreased risk of death.
Fitting in fitness
In the modern age, many of us say we just don’t have the time to exercise. How can we possibly fit it in around our other commitments?
But shouldn’t our health be our top priority? After all, it’s going to give us the best chance at staying healthy and living the longest life possible.
And this study just reaffirms that you don’t have to run marathons or join a gym to enjoy these benefits. Simply take a walk around the neighbourhood for around an hour a day – that’s it. You could use that time to listen to music or a podcast, or catch up on phone calls. Or you could simply walk in solitude and silence, treating yourself to much-needed time out to meditate or simply think about things.
Want more ideas for increasing your physical activity? Search for a health professional in your area - or join a local walking group.
Originally published on Sep 30, 2015
