Walking Benefits the Mind, Body and Spirit
The Entire Body Benefits When One Walks for Exercise and Health
Oct 20, 2009
Research studies have shown that there are many health benefits of walking. The entire body benefits – mind, body and spirit – when one engages in the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other.
The mind benefits from walking by having a positive impact on the brain. The body benefits from improving the health of the bones and muscles, the heart, lungs and internal organs. The spirit benefits from an improved sense of well being and wellness.
Walking Benefits the Mind
Walking benefits the mind by improving circulation and blood flow to the brain. This improved circulation has a positive influence on the brain by increasing one’s ability to think and process information.
As quoted in The Joy of Backpacking [Wilderness Press, 2007] Robert Sweetgall reminds us of one of the other benefits of walking. “We live in a fast-paced society. Walking slows us down.” The act of slowing down combined with the increased blood flow to the brain also helps improve mental health by reducing feelings of stress, anxiety and depression.
To summarize the benefits on the mind from walking, walking:
- Improves thinking and thought processing
- Reduces stress
- Reduces anxiety
- Reduces depression
- Promotes positive mental health
Walking helps by slowing down the pace of life. Spending more time walking offers many benefits for the mind which improve your overall health and well being.
Walking Benefits the Body
Walking benefits the body by impacting a number of different organs and organ systems. Walking improves the health of the bones, muscles and joints, the heart, lungs and internal organs. The body also benefits from a reduced rate of diseases, like heart disease, hypertension, dementia and diabetes. Walking also can be used as a way to maintain a healthy weight or to enhance weight loss.
American physician, cardiologist and walking advocate, Dr. Paul Dudley White was quoted in Take Heart: The Life and Prescription for Living of Paul Dudley White, the World's Premier Cardiologist [Harvard University Press, 1986], "Walking is probably the best exercise because it is easy for anyone to accomplish and easy to grade from the slowest shortest walks to the most rapid and longest." Dr. White further commented on the therapeutic benefits of walking and has been quoted in the book Brain Fit for Life [River Pointe Publications, 2008], "A vigorous five-mile walk will do more good for an unhappy but otherwise healthy adult than all the medicine and psychology in the world."
Physicians, dietitians, health, wellness and fitness professionals encourage patients and clients to be more active. They promote the benefits of activity to reduce the risks of developing chronic diseases while improving fitness and well being.
To summarize the benefits on the body from walking, walking:
- Builds and maintains the bones, muscles and joints.
- Increases heart and lung endurance (cardio-respiratory).
- Helps in maintaining and controlling weight.
- Reduces bad cholesterol (LDL) levels and improves of good cholesterol (HDL).
- Reduces the risk of many chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes.
- Increases the overall fitness of the body.
Walking can be a beneficial way to improve the overall health of the body.
Walking Benefits the Spirit
Walking not only benefits the mind, but also benefits the spirit by improving a sense of wellness and well being. Research has shown that walking helps to improve a person's mood, reduce and manage stress and improve self-esteem. Walkers and hikers have experienced the benefits of the spirit from walking, which may be difficult to convey in words.
American author, poet and naturalist, Henry David Thoreau wrote about the impact of walking in the book Walking [WLC, 2009], "I think that I cannot preserve my health and spirits, unless I spend four hours a day at least – and it is commonly more than that – sauntering through the woods and over the hills and fields, absolutely free from all worldly engagements."
To summarize the benefits on the spirit from walking, walking:
- Improves the mood.
- Helps reduce and manage stress.
- Improves self-esteem.
Another person who has captured the benefits of walking in writing is American poet and environmental activist Gary Snyder. He included his thoughts on walking in his book The Practice of the Wild: Essays [Counterpoint, 2003], citing, "Walking is the great adventure, the first meditation, a practice of heartiness and soul primary to humankind. Walking is the exact balance between spirit and humility." Many walkers use their time walking as time to relax and meditate.
Walking Benefits the Whole Person
Walking and participating in activity may be the elusive "magic pill" that everyone keeps looking for to improve their health because it has so many positive benefits for the mind, the body and the spirit. Walking is an easy, cost-effective way of improving overall wellness.
Resources:
Dyer KA. 2008. Start Walking for Health and Exercise: Discover the Many Health Benefits from a Daily Walk. General Medicine. Suite 101.
Dyer KA. 2009. Walking with Children is Quality Family Time. Parenting Resources. Suite 101.
AARP.org. 2004. The Numerous Benefits of Walking. Topics in Health: Walking.
Mayo Clinic Staff. 2008. Walking for fitness: How to trim your waistline, improve your health. Fitness. MayoClinic.com.
Harvard Medical School. 2004. Leisure Time Exercise. Harvard Newsletter.
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