There is no path, the path is made by walking.
Machado's poem, which Serrat played with his talented musical wand, serves to illustrate in a much more artistic and idyllic way something that in New York you do all the time, whether you like it or not: walk, walk and walk.
It may seem exhausting (it is) and boring (not at all!), but what you'll agree with us is that this is the best way, above all others, to get to know and discover this city. Are you really going to cross an entire ocean to spend half a day under its streets? Doesn't sound like the best idea.
So, it's safe to say that New York City is totally healthy and recommended for our physical condition. Well, walking, but one thing leads to another and any excuse is a good one to recommend a trip to the Big Apple ;)
We are big advocates of healthy living, and what do we mean by healthy living? A balanced diet based on natural and quality foods (if they can be home-made, all the better), washed down with a cocktail between the slow life and the hygge Danish and, above all, seasoned with a life away from sedentary lifestyles, get moving!
We know, not all of us have the fitness, the time or (often) the desire to go out and do sport. But, if you are in any of these cases, why not walk? Walking has many benefits for our health and we insist on taking the car, the metro or the bus to cover distances that we could do on our own legs. Admit it, you've often driven a distance that wouldn't take you more than 20 minutes to walk. Don't worry, so have we. But rectifying is wise and that's why we are going to champion ourselves as the great defenders of the walking, power walking, nordic walking or, in short, what walking has always been, whatever its intensity and modality.
Daily walking has great benefits and we are going to tell you all about them. Let's start with the most obvious one: you don't have to look for a parking space. ;)
Joking aside, walking for at least 30 minutes every day is much healthier than doing a very hard but sporadic workout. A simple daily walk can make a noticeable improvement in your health.
You may be thinking that walking is not a sport, but you'd be wrong. Walking is an easy, free, aerobic activity that will help you reduce your body fat and lower your risk of blood clots.
If you're still not convinced, here are some of the other benefits of walking so that by the time you've finished reading them, you'll have an overwhelming desire to get out and walk, walk, walk, walk for miles and miles.
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It promotes circulation. Walking reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, lowers blood pressure and strengthens the heart. According to researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, women who walk 30 minutes a day reduce their risk of stroke by 20 per cent and by up to 40 per cent if they pick up the pace.
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Strengthen your bones. Walking slows the loss of bone mass in those suffering from osteoporosis. When you walk you are forcing your bones to work harder, making them more resistant and preventing not only bone loss but also decalcification.
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It helps you lose weight. Walking for 30-60 minutes at a brisk pace helps you burn fat. And what do we mean by brisk pace? Well, at a speed that raises your heart rate to 70% of its capacity. Plus, not only will you be burning stored fat, but you'll also be contributing to muscle building. Walking tones your legs and abdominal muscles, increasing your range of motion by helping to reduce pressure on your joints.
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It improves memory and reduces the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Walking is a physical activity and, as such, improves the flow of oxygen to the brain. According to a Cardiovascular Health Study, conducted in the United States by the National Institutes of Health, older people who walk regularly have larger brains, better memory and greater cognitive capacity. Of course, the walks should be regular and at least 10 km a week. The sooner you start, the sooner you'll see the benefits - today can be a great day to start!
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Boost your energy and improve the quality of your sleep. Sleep, how important it is to get a good night's sleep! When it comes to sleep, it's not only the quantity that matters, but also, and above all, the quality. Getting a good night's rest is the key to facing the new day in full strength. Regular walking can help you improve the quality of your sleep by up to 65% and reduce daytime fatigue.
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It puts you in a good mood. One of the benefits we like the most because who doesn't want to be in a good mood all the time? Walking helps you release endorphins, the happiness hormones.
These are just some of the benefits of walking. We hope that from today you will get going and walk at least 30 minutes a day because your body and mind will thank you for it. If you already have this routine, good for you! We'd love to hear from you (or rather, read you) and hear about your favourite time to go for a walk, that route you never miss or what motivated you to start.
Whether you're a junior or senior walker, we're delighted to welcome you into our family of readers and hope you'll come back to our blog more often, as we'll continue to tell you about the activities we enjoy the most to make our lives healthier and happier. |
