Walking Really Can Help

 

You may think you’ve heard all of the benefits of walking, including:

• lower blood glucose
• lower blood pressure
• lower levels of stress and depression

But new findings from the “Nurses’ Health Study,” conducted by Harvard Medical School, show that women especially can benefit from walking, and even from standing and walking around at home instead of sitting. This large study of women and health also offers some information about what helped women choose and stick with walking for exercise. Researchers found that women who lived in safe areas with neighbors close by were more likely to walk. But even if you do not live where you can easily or safely walk, you can walk around the inside of your house, on a treadmill or in a mall. You can also ask a family member or a neighbor to walk with you. Or, take a walk on your lunch break with a co-worker.

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Walking is an activity that most people can do, and it can add to both the length and quality of your life. Start with 10 to 15 minutes and try to walk faster and for a longer amount of time each week.

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