Replace Sitting with Walking

Replace sitting with walking – it’s key to decreasing early death rate.

By Alfred Stallion

A lot of people would say that staying healthy is all about exercising more, drinking more water, taking vitamins, including more fish oil into your diet, and quitting smoking and drinking alcohol. However, there’s more to general health than adhering to a healthy lifestyle. The key to long-term health is to replace sitting down with mild walking. Apparently, this will decrease your chances of suffering an early death by 12 to 14 percent.

The effects of walking on people’s health

Walking is an extremely beneficial activity for seniors. It’s simple, easy to do and cheap. Anybody can walk; so rather than spend an extra hour sitting down in front of the TV, get up and head over to the park. Walking comes with a wealth of health benefits. It maintains mobility in the body, not to mention that it strengthens the bones and helps senior citizens live independently for an extended period.

Statistical reports show that many older adults don’t exercise enough. They sit down for too many hours instead of exercising, and this can have a negative effect on their health as they age. As a matter of fact, American citizens in general don’t exercise enough. A sedentary lifestyle after the age of 50 may lead to significant muscle loss and low aerobic capacity. If you can’t adhere to a daily exercise routine, you can at least replace a few hours of sitting with mild walking. Don’t force your body too much, and start slow. Walking is an activity that keeps the body active and the bones strong. Your heart will function properly too, as well as your brain. When it comes to an active lifestyle, you should abide by the following mantra – healthy mind in healthy body, regardless of your age.

Benefits of walking

As we age, the risks of developed bone-related illnesses increase. Seniors are predisposed to developing osteoporosis. However, with mild exercising such as walking, the risks may be decreased. Furthermore, the psychological benefits of walking in seniors are notable too. They will have the chance to socialize more, which will improve their sense of self-purpose and self-worth. As far as the benefits of walking are concerned, we should mention that this activity can:

• Reduce the risk of suffering an early death
• Decrease the risk of heart disease
• Decrease the risk of colon cancer, diabetes, and hypertension
• Increase muscle strength, sense of balance, flexibility

Inactivity is a huge health problem in the elderly

Inactivity has tremendous side effects on the adult body. The average person spends about 3 hours a day watching TV, which in time may destroy bone tissue causing all kinds of health concerns. Seniors should get off their couches more often; they should spend more time walking in the park, and socializing thus keeping both the brain and the body in active form. We live in an activity-hostile society where people like to point fingers when someone doesn’t do the right thing. Considering that the day is only 24 hours long, we should spend more time caring about ourselves and less about others.

As we age, exercise and fitness become essential activities

Exercise is an activity that people should include more often in their daily routines. Regular exercise (even walking) helps boost energy, manages pain and illness, and maintains your independence. Exercise might even reverse some signs of aging. It keeps the heart strong and it also improves mood and memory.

Now it’s also important for people to care for their aging parents. So if you notice that they’re not managing well on their own anymore, get more involved in their lives. Visit them more often and offer to be their caregivers. It is a huge responsibility, as JP Adams wrote in his article about the Costs of Moving Home, but you’ll be able to see your parents live longer and feel healthier. Don’t allow them to sit in their homes all day long. They might not be able to walk on their own and head to the park, but this doesn’t mean they shouldn’t do it. Help them get up and out and spend quality time together. It will lift their spirits and make them see life from a much more positive perspective, and it will do the same for you.

About the Author

Alfred Stallion is interested in writing about health and fitness related issues. He has a deep knowledge of this field and also writes for Forest Healthcare, which runs elderly care homes and retirement villages in UK.