It’s a powerful treatment that is changing lives. Every year nearly 2000 patients at Toronto’s University Health Network are prescribed walking just like medication because there are many health benefits of walking.
Dr Paul Oh, medical director of Cardiac Rehab at University Health Network, was interviewed on CTV Morning. He works with many patients who are living with heart conditions, diabetes and cancer. Walking is one of the fundamental simple ways to improve health.
Benefits to Brain and Body:
- Helps heart with cardiovascular fitness
- Helps brain by improving mood, memory and learning
- Helps body with blood sugar and blood pressure
Brain:
The more that we do, the more active we are, we can turn on chemicals like B, D and F. Sort of like Miracle Grow for the brain. Grow neurons create connections, improve mood, improve memory and learning.
Heart and Lungs:
The heart is pumping, blood is moving, expanding capacity and pushing that blood down to exercising muscles so that they can function better. They extract things like oxygen and glucose so that living with diabetes we can smooth out metabolism and improve regulation and improve control.
Why walking is good for your health:
- Great Inclusive Exercise
- Done by people at any age
- Don’t need special equipment
Be smart and have fun. Find a friend or walking group and enjoy the social aspect of walking. Set goals that are measurable, obtainable, realistic and timely. Put on your headphones and listen to music or a great podcast. Get away from screens and make a connection with nature. You will be amazed how much kids will love to go for a walk and you will love how much you can connect with them.
If you are looking for a fun and effective way to improve your fitness in addition to walking, check out D’Souza Martial Arts Academy for Taekwondo classes in Waterloo. Reach out to Ms. Charlotte at 519-725-5550 to book your free trial class.