A great thing about living in London is the ease of getting where you want to go without having to drive. The Underground will take you just about anywhere you need to go so you don’t have to deal with the headache of traffic. However, this means that you are walking a lot more. You walk between The Underground stations and your destinations and up and down many stairs. This can take a toll on your feet after a while, but have you paused to think about the overall health benefits of walking too? A chiropodist in London explains.

The importance of walking

Aside from being part of your daily activities to get you from point A to point B, walking is one of the best activities you can do for your feet, mind and body. Studies have shown that it can even help you live longer as well as give you a better quality of life in general. You’ll experience the following benefits from walking even 30 to 60 minutes every day.

Walking prevents weight gain

While it’s important to eat a healthy, balanced diet to lose weight, walking is also a great preventive exercise to get in the habit of doing. Even if you are significantly overweight or have other health issues that make it difficult to commit to intense exercising, walking is something anyone can do at their own speed and level. Even walking just 2,000 more steps a day can help you lose weight. If you’re curious how many steps a day you are currently walking, a chiropodist in London can recommend a good pedometer for you to invest in.

Walking reduces health risks

When you walk briskly for 30 minutes or more it’s considered an aerobic exercise. Doing this on a regular basis can reduce:

• Risk of Heart Disease – Getting your blood flowing will improve your circulation, keeping your arteries clear and helping to control your blood and cholesterol levels.
• Risk of Diabetes – Walking is often recommended by a podiatrist and chiropodist in London for people who suffer from diabetes or neuropathy. Both of these diseases affect circulation in the feet. Walking helps boost the circulation and also maintains the blood sugar balance
• Foot problems – Walking is a weight-bearing exercise that strengthens the muscles in the feet. Having strong feet means that if they are ever subjected to more strain than usual or you get injured, your feet will be less likely to ache as badly or develop a bone problem.

Walking is good for the mind

Walking can improve your mood and help relieve stress because it causes your body to release endorphins – our body’s natural way of producing the feeling of well-being. It can also boost brain power by increasing blood flow to the brain, as well as just giving you a few minutes to think without the interruptions and daily demands around you.

Start your walking programme today!

If you’re convinced of the benefits of walking, consider beginning a walking regime. It’s important to remember to limit yourself to about 30 minutes of aerobic walking 3 days a week if you are just beginning and work up to a more intense program. Also be sure to stretch before walking and invest in a good pair of walking shoes. If you’d like more information about a walking programme or have questions about other foot issues in general, contact a chiropodist in London at Beauchamp Foot Care.

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