Free delivery on orders over £40, only £3.95 under £40
Welcome to our blog, your one-stop resource for news, features and resources for living life to the fullest. View our articles on the latest mobility products and features with disability bloggers.
Posted by Mike Phipps on April 8, 2022
In today's busy world and between work, family, and social obligations, it can be tough trying to find time to exercise.
Studies have shown that just a short daily walk can have a profound impact on mental health, improve moods, increase stamina and help to relieve stress and anxiety. So, it's not surprising that so many people are turning to walking as a way to stay healthy, as it can be done at any age and fitness level.
In this blog, we discuss 5 positive reasons why you should add a walking program into your everyday activities.
So, if you're looking for a way to improve your health, make your heart stronger, lose weight and strengthen your bones, it's time you started reading!
The NHS recommends that we do 150 minutes of exercise a week so, it might be easier for you if you try and incorporate walking into a daily routine; you could try a 10-minute daily walk at breakfast and a 10-minute daily walk at lunch and, incredibly, in just one week, that will take you to 140 minutes!
Walking has many health benefits – it is also a great way to get in shape and lose some body weight.
Walking speeds up our metabolism, suppresses our appetite, uses calories and burns excess body fat instead of the calories going into stored body fats.
In addition, walking is a low-impact activity which means it's easy on our joints, and, unlike some forms of exercise, walking can be done almost anywhere and at any time.
Plus, it's a great way to get some fresh air and enjoy the outdoors.
If you're new to walking and exercising, it's best to talk to a medical professional before engaging in any new physical activity.
When exercising, it's important to start slowly and gradually increase your pace and distance over time.
It doesn't matter if you prefer to walk slowly and gently, or in time, do a spot of brisk walking, the key thing is that you're exercising and getting some fresh air.
Studies have shown that even a short walk as part of a fitness routine can have a profound impact on mental health, improve our moods, increase our stamina and help to relieve stress and anxiety.
Walking helps to increase our heart rates and get the blood flowing. This, in turn, can help to boost our energy levels and improve our overall sense of well-being.
Walking can also reduce stress levels and improve moods by increasing our levels of endorphins, the "feel good" hormones.
Just 20 minutes spent walking each day can help you feel calmer and more content, as well as making you feel more grounded and connected to the world around us.
As an alternative, if you walk for a solid half an hour, 5 days a week, that will take you to the required 150 minutes.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in some countries and regular exercise can help to prevent this.
When we do a physical activity, our heart muscle becomes stronger and more efficient at pumping blood. This increased efficiency means that our heart doesn't have to work as hard, which lowers the risk of heart disease.
A fitness routine helps to lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels, both of which are key risk factors for heart disease.
Exercise also releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects that can help to reduce stress levels.
Did you know that walking can help fight illnesses? It's true! Walking helps to increase the flow of blood and oxygen throughout our body, which helps to keep our cells healthy.
Physical activity also helps our immune system fight off infections.
Our immune system is our body’s natural defence against infections and illnesses and is made up of a network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to identify and destroy foreign invaders.
There are several things we can do to boost our immune system and one of the best ways is to get plenty of rest. Sleep gives your body a chance to recover from the day and allows our immune system to work at its best.
Additionally, eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise, such as a daily walking route, can also help to keep our immune system strong.
Have you ever noticed that you sometimes get your best ideas while you're out for a walk?
It turns out there's a good reason for that. Walking has been shown to increase creativity. One study found that people who went for a walk outside were more likely to come up with creative solutions to problems than those who stayed indoors.
Another study found that people who took a walking break were more productive on subsequent tasks than those who remained seated.
So, if you're feeling stuck on a project, put on your walking shoes and take a stroll – the physical activity might just help you to come up with some new ideas!
Walking is a great way to get some exercise and fresh air – it's even more fun when you do it with family, or friends.
If you're looking for walking companions, why not try forming a walking group? You can recruit members from your neighbourhood, workplace, or social circles. Once you have a few people on board, you can start planning regular walking outings although, if you go walking in the hills, you might need to purchase some specialist walking shoes before you go.
If you have any elderly, or disabled members in your group, be sure to bring along a walking stick, or some other walking aid to help them stay safe and comfortable. With a little effort, you can turn walking into a fun and rewarding activity for everyone involved.
A walking stick can provide additional support and balance, and help you maintain a comfortable walking posture.
Walking Sticks can also help us to walk more smoothly and efficiently. In addition, a walking disability aid can help if you want to do a spot of brisk walking, as it can provide additional leverage.
If you're walking on uneven terrain, a walking aid can help you to avoid trips and falls.
At Ability Superstore, we understand that everyone's needs are different – that's why we stock a wide range of walking sticks and walking aids to help you find the perfect mobility aid for your needs.
Whether you're looking for a walking stick to provide support, or a walking aid to help with your balance, we have a wide selection of disability aids to choose from. We have everything from stylish, fashionable canes to folding and non-folding walking sticks to walking aids with inbuilt seats and extra stability walking sticks – we’re sure to have something that will suit your needs.
There are many benefits of walking – it's not only great for your physical health, but it can also boost your mental well-being and help keep your brain and heart healthy.
The best part about walking is that it’s free and easy to do – just lace up your shoes, or trainers, and off you go!
Wearing comfortable, supportive and good-fitting trainers can help avoid blisters.
You can't go on a long walk if you don’t have enough energy.
Make sure to take plenty of water and healthy snacks with you, in case your internal battery starts draining quickly during the walk. It might also be wise to bring an extra top, or hat, as weather conditions can vary from place-to-place.
If you're not active because of a medical condition, or a long term health issue, you can ask your local health centre for some advice on how to gradually get some physical activity into your life. There are plenty of things you can do, even in and around your own home.
Ability Superstore has a team of friendly and knowledgeable staff and Occupational Therapists that are always on hand to answer any questions you may have, and to help you find the perfect walking stick, walking aid and disability aid for your needs.
At Ability Superstore, we also have a wide range of walking stick accessories. Visit our website today to find out more!
Ability Superstore is one of the top mobility and disability aid websites in the UK, and now with our first mobility shop, we are adding an extra level to our customer care experience.
We stock hundreds of items from simple jar openers right through to mobility scooters and more.
For more information, or advice, on anything in the mobility aid world, call our customer service team free on 0800 255 0498, or email us at heretohelp@abilitysuperstore.com. You can also send us a message via this Contact Us form on our website. You will also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
Start getting the health benefits of walking today and add a walking routine into your everyday activities.