Walking is a great way to get stronger or keep your health in check. By walking for at least 30 minutes a day, you can really boost your overall cardiovascular health, strengthen your bones, reduce your risk of diseases, help with weight management, and enhance your muscle endurance and power. In order to reap the benefits of walking, research has shown that the ideal number of steps is around 10,000 per day. Unlike many other forms of exercise, walking is free! It does not require any special equipment or training to do, just throw on a pair of your most comfortable shoes and you are good to go.
If you are into travelling, walking is a great alternative to your regular holiday and is a great time to discover a number of places that you have never been before. The UK is a great place in particular for this kind of holiday and there are numerous great routes to choose from at Mickledore Walking Holidays, where you can find the best itineraries and perhaps, your next best friend! With that said, we have put together some great reasons to make a walking holiday your next.
Improves the health of your heart
Walking helps improve the general condition of your heart. Scientists have reported that for walking is one of the best forms of exercises, especially in reducing cardiovascular diseases. It can also help lower blood pressure, as researchers from Japan have found that walking for 10,000 steps or at least 60 minutes per day can help to lower your blood pressure and increase your stamina. So, keep those hearts pumping and in check by taking a walk every day! It’s amazing to think that you can combine this with your next holiday and is just one good reason to get out and enjoy the beauty of nature on your next holiday.
Helps in weight loss
It is plain and simple, walking helps you lose weight. The more that you walk, the more calories you burn. So why not go on a nice hike and enjoy an amazing meal afterwards, that way you don’t need to feel guilty. Walking holidays are an ideal way to help you to burn off all those holiday calories, so it’s a great way to not feel guilty after that extra dessert, after all, you have earned it!
Discover exciting destinations
While walking, you can walk fast or slowly enough to look around and enjoy the finer details of your surroundings like trees, houses, fields, towns, hills, mountains, and castles. You can enjoy the amazing walking routes like Cleveland Way in Northern England, Vale of Lorton in the Lake District, Pembrokeshire Coast Path in Wales and more.
Going on a walking holiday puts you at the centre of the action and the best part is that you can stop anytime that you want and take in all that nature has to offer you. Also, when we discover new destinations, it improves our understanding of the culture, customs, and traditions of places that we probably never considered before as holiday destinations.
Strengthens bones and muscles
We have to admit, our bodies are mechanical, and they tend to become weaker and more fragile as we age. The same is in the case of our bones and muscles. The strength of an individual in their 20s is vastly different compared to a person in their 60s. The good news is that we have the choice to delay this inevitable deterioration, by walking regularly. Walking is low-impact and hassle-free and is suitable not just for young people, but for aging bodies too. It prevents loss of bone density and keeps our muscles in shape, thus, reducing the risk of osteoporosis, fracture, and other bone injury and muscle tear. Since bones define our bodies framework, stronger and healthier set of bones help to improve our posture, stamina, balance, which eventually builds more confidence in us even in the old age. Walking can also prevent other bone and muscle diseases such as arthritis and muscle atrophy too.
It can be as hard or as easy as we want
When we think of walking holidays we generally think of tough hikes and the like. The truth is that you don’t have to be hiking up mountains. Many trails and hikes have a number of graded routes all the way from easy to very difficult and this means that it really doesn’t matter who you are or what your fitness level is. Over time, you will also notice that as your strength and stamina improves, you will be able to do even more challenging walks. The walking component can be truly as easy or as hard as we like, it’s also a great way to motivate yourself to try out even more challenging walks and destinations that you may have never considered before.
It reduces stress, lifts your mood, increases productivity and also creativity
Depression is one of the problems that impact society in this technologically advanced age. Numerous scientific studies have proven that being physically active can help prevent depression. It is also suggested by physicians and psychiatrists that walking can have a very positive impact on our mood. So, if you are feeling down or sad, opt to just take a walk and breathe some fresh air to feel better. Taking a walk regularly also makes you more active and enthusiastic. And having lots of positive energy can greatly increase your productivity. Whether you are a student or professional, your memory, agility, and your reaction time to different stimuli will considerably change for the better. Walking holidays are a great way to break away from the daily grind of life and to give our minds the rest that need, especially with how busy life has become in the modern age.
Walking also significantly increases our creativity. By helping to relax and calm the nerves, it, in turn, makes you calmer and more composed and therefore helps you to think better. When you walk, you don’t have the pressure of meeting a deadline or a certain responsibility, your mind can simply wander and get the much needed rest that it deserves. This helps your brain to function strategically and in a more organized way. So, if you are trapped with a problem and can’t seem to find a solution, take a walk or go on a walking holiday!
Makes new friends and create lifelong memories
One of the greatest and my most favourite aspects of walking is the social aspect. Experiencing great holidays with new friends and your loved ones is perhaps one of the most positive things that people can do in their lives. Walking is a social thing that truly allows you to “walk and talk” without all the pressures of having to be in a certain place at a certain time. Perhaps you can join a walking group and make some new friends, and even progress into heading on a walking holiday together. The possibilities are endless. You will certainly meet people out on the trails and I can honestly say that some of my best friends have been met through walking groups and meeting new people on my travel adventures.
On top of this you can truly create some memories that you will never forget. Sometimes these memories are not always as we planned them to be, but the main thing is that you can always think back to a funny experience or a beautiful sight that you have shared with others. It really is true that the best things in life are not thing!
Walking improves your circulation and reduces stress levels
Walking can help alleviate stress levels by improving your circulation, which provides vital nutrients and oxygen to the cells. It is also a great for those that have circulation problems and walking often can really help these types of people to significantly improve their overall health. If you are one of these people that suffer from such a problem, then there really is no excuse not to enjoy a walking holiday. You will not only improve your health, but relax and enjoy some amazing scenery in the process.