10 Wonderful Things That Happen to Your Body When You Walk Every Day

Walking is by far my greatest ‘medicine.’ In fact, it doesn’t matter what time I go to bed, it’s an essential part of my morning routine to wake up and start my day with a walk, preferably as the sun is rising.

I do this because a lot of great things happen when you walk. Guess what? You don’t have to engage in the most strenuous, backbreaking, and exhausting physical activities to receive a lot of health benefits! Just start walking more frequently. Here are 10 wonderful things that happen to your body and mind when you walk every day.

1 – You Channel Your Inner ‘Cave Woman’

By the way, this is a good thing. Motion is life! From the earliest days in history, the human body was meant to move, and physical movement creates the healthiest you. When you are physically active and on the go more than you are sitting around doing nothing, your body notices. The reward your body gives you? You are blessed with more health and wellness. Your mind, body, and emotions have a better chance at maximum health and ability when you walk and move regularly.

2 – You Build Better Habits in Every Aspect of Your Life

Any neuroscientist will tell you that when you develop one habit, you will develop more. Your healthy walking habit makes you more likely to create other healthier habits in different areas of your life. Habit stacking is a real thing, so begin a walking habit today and you may find yourself developing other positive habits.

10 Wonderful Things That Happen to Your Body When You Walk Every Day holistic doctor mama

3 – Walking Improves Your Digestion

Your gut is home to roughly 70% of your entire immune system. Your immune system is what keeps you from becoming sick or ill, and it helps you recover from injury and illness. Walking gets your blood flowing, and this gives your digestive process a boost. It’s a really great practice to walk after meals for the most digestive benefits.

Read my earlier post here on 4 Meal Time Habits to Improve Your Digestion for a few more tips to support your well-being.

4 – Your Metabolism Improves

Your metabolic process is everything involved that keeps you alive. When your metabolism is working efficiently, you experience your optimal health. Walking is such a natural action for the human body that it has been proven to speed up the metabolic process, which can make you healthier from head to toe.

5 – If You Walk outside, You Generate Vitamin D

Did you know that when 70% of your body is exposed to the sun’s rays for 10 to 15 minutes, you produce natural vitamin D? That amount of exposure creates the minimum daily requirement of vitamin D in your body. Get outside and walk in nature! Throw on a tank top and a pair of shorts on a sunny day and start producing the vitamin D your body needs.

6 – You Burn Fat While Building Muscle

Statistics show that 1 out of every 3 adults and children are overweight or obese. Walking can help decrease weight. You burn more calories walking than not moving, and this increases your muscle mass while burning fat and calories. That’s a real good thing, because obesity and being overweight dramatically raise your risk of developing cancers, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic health problems.

7 – Walking Clears out the Brain Fog

Walking regularly at a brisk pace accelerates your heart rate and respiratory system, and this improves your circulation, as well as the flow of oxygen and blood to your brain. All of this means that a regular walking habit improves mental function and clarity as a result.

8 – You Build and Tone Stronger, Leaner, Fitter Legs

The Greek philosopher, statesman, and natural healing disciple Hippocrates said, “Walking is a man’s best medicine.” Ladies, ignore the fact the father of Western medicine didn’t mention women as well! We get the point here, and know that strong, toned legs are a good look for both men and women alike.

It may sound like common sense, but you need strong legs to walk regularly. The stronger your legs are, the more mobile you are. Walking builds strong legs that allow you to walk more and enjoy increased freedom in your body through better mobility. Finally, the more mobile you are, the healthier you are. (And your legs look great, mamas!)

9 – You Stress Less

Physical movement promotes the release of chemicals and hormones that make you feel happy and content. On the flip side, you produce less of hormones like cortisol, which increase stress. When you add socialization to your daily walking, you benefit from the fact that socializing and meaningful connection with people you care about can also decrease stress.

10 – Your Eyesight Improves

Seriously! Walking promotes better eyesight! As we mentioned before, brisk walking gets your blood pumping. This improves the flow of blood to the retina and optic nerves, meaning better vision. Some studies show that a regular walking practice helps people with glaucoma see better.

Are you ready to put those walking shoes on to start a new habit? If so, share your goals in the comments below! Also, if you have been walking daily for some time, share with me the health benefits you have received in the comments.

If you are interested in learning more healthy habits and need a plan to implement them into your life, be sure to check out my FREE GUIDE on 12 Steps to Bio-Hack Your Family’s Health.

Wishing you well,

Dr. Jessica