Did you know these surprising benefits of walking for 15 minutes each day? If you’re looking for ways to improve work productivity, this one’s for you

Work is important, but we’re not only about work. The Smith Marion team is excited to partner with Wellsteps to offer a wellness platform to our team members. Through the Wellsteps platform, our team members are able to track their wellness goals and participate in firm wide challenges. As such, this article is stepping away from our usual financial talk as we address some key health benefits of walking.

We know that one major factor to being productive at work is to not neglect your mental health. And one way to give your mental health a boost is by taking fifteen minute walks each day. While this might sound simple, short daily walks are effective in the long run – or, in this case, the long walk. In fact, several studies have shown that walking just a few minutes a day can add years to your life – up to seven! All you need is at least fifteen minutes each day to experience the benefits.

Benefits of 15-minute daily walks:

Walking is a great way to improve or maintain your overall health. Just 15 minutes a day can increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance. But those aren’t the only benefits. Walking also does the following:

1. Improves your mood
2. Improves cognitive performance
3. Boosts immunity
4. Supports weight loss, lowers blood sugar
5. Lowers blood pressure and risk of heart attack
6. Lowers the risk of blood clots in your legs
7. Relieves back pain
8. Tightens abdominal muscles
9. Keeps knee joints healthy

It can also reduce your risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and some cancers. Unlike some other forms of exercise, walking is free and doesn’t require any special equipment or training.

>> Related Article: Walking for Good Health

How to Get More Out of Your Walk:

Admittedly, walking isn’t the most interesting physical activity to do when there are so many other upbeat, thrilling, and adventurous physical activities out there. However, you can enjoy your walk and benefit from it by following the tips below:

• Swing your arms as you walk
• Stand tall, lift your chest, keep your shoulders down
• Walk at a brisk pace. To go faster, take quicker steps instead of longer
• Walk up hills and up and down the stairs

Watch this video to get more insight on how to have a more effective daily walk.

Concluding Additional Pointers:

Walking might take a bit of time to get used to, or to take an interest in, but the fifteen minutes is worth the extra seven years of healthy life.

You can walk in the morning before you head out for the day, on your lunch break to get away from the office, or after dinner (can help digestion!). You’ll likely observe improvements in your health – and attitude – after even fifteen minutes a day.

We don’t know the next time gym and pools will be closed, so getting started on a walk a day now is preparing for the future. It’s also the best way to get your daily dose of vitamin D and exercise. But remember that in limited daylight hours, it takes even more commitment and motivation to get those steps in. So follow this simple guide to make our walk more appealing, and get your feet moving.

Jeanie Edgecomb

CPB, CPS Director of Administration