Spring Walk: How walking is good for your mental health

We all know how walking can help keep you in shape, but did you know it can also do wonders for your mental health?

Yes, you read right, walking can offer you great mental health benefits as well.

 

Let's take a look at some of the benefits:

 

Helps ease pain

 

Walking releases chemicals known as endorphins, which are known to interact with the receptors in your brain to reduce your perception of pain.

 

Helps you concentrate

 

The same endorphins that make you perceive pain better, also help you to concentrate better.

 

Helps lighten your mood

 

If you are feeling a bit under the weather, try walking. Walking has proven to help cheer you up, and we all know how feeling happy can help you make better decisions.

 

Keeps your mind sharp

 

Your brain needs oxygen in order to function well, and walking helps transport oxygen to your brain.

 

Saves you from mental illnesses

 

Walking eases symptoms of mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety.

 

Certain reports indicate that walking just three times a week works as a mood elevator.

 

“In a survey of 1,750 doctors, 85 percent reported that they prescribed exercise, including walking, for treating depression (and 60 percent prescribed exercise to treat anxiety),” health.howstuffworks.com reported.

 

Slows mental decline

 

According to a study posted in arthritis.org, which was done at University of California consisting of 6,000 women, there was a lower age-related memory decline in women who had regular walks.

 

So with all these benefits listed above, make sure to take a walk at least three times a week. It will definitely do you good.