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Hi Emmon:

Emmon asks: "What benefits does walking give?"

Emmon going for brisk half hour or more walks offers some outstanding benefits:

*Great natural mood elevator. Research has pegged walking as about a good mood elevator as anti-depression medication.

*It gives someone an absorbing and often pleasurable activity to do. This can thwart rumination and worry.

*It strengthens and tones many muscles throughout the body.

*Completing a planned walk can give someone a sense of control over their life.

*Folks with lower back problems report that walking helps relax their back mucles and the endorphins released during a brisk walk reduce pain. Walking also strengthens the lower back.

*If the brisk walks are done outdoors in the sunlight walking can be of some help with Seasonal Affective Disorder.

*Folks will often naturally integrate stuck emotions on long walks.

*Walking burns calories and can help with weight reduction.

*Walking is said to decrease: Stress, anxiety, blood pressure, blood triglycerides, body fat, bone loss, constipation, glucose, immobility, pain, risk of certain cancers, risk of hypertension, strokes, and heart attacks, risk of diabetes, and weight gain.

*Regular brisk walking is said to improve: Aerobic capacity, ability to regulate body temperature, balance, blood sugar, bone density, bone and cartilage health, circulation, energy level and endurance, flexibility/range of motion, HDL (Good) cholesterol, heart health, joint mobility, life span, mental capacity, metabolic rate, mood, muscle mass/tone, overall health, quality of life and sleep, reaction time, feelings of accomplishment, and strength.


Take care, Steve