6 misconceptions related to walking

Due to today's bad lifestyle and poor eating habits, staying fit has become a necessity rather than a habit. If you are fit then many types of diseases will not even touch you. Although people try a lot to stay fit, but walking is an easy way to do it. This is a very simple and easy exercise, but its benefits are not less than any high intensity workout.

Walking is not only beneficial, but it is a very comfortable and easy-to-do exercise. For this, you do not need to go to any fancy gym or have workout equipments and other things. You can customize the walking workout to your ability and it's good for people of any age.

Many health experts and fitness lovers give a lot of advice regarding walking, which often leads to confusion as to what is right and what is wrong. Many myths are also spread about this, on which we often believe. So come on, let us tell you today about some such myths related to walking, which you should stop believing.

Myth 1 - It is good to walk 10000 steps in a day.

You must have heard from many people that they have set a target of walking 10000 steps in a day. It is not known why the number of 10,000 was made the benchmark for the benefits of walking, but this number was born of a marketing campaign rather than scientific research.

According to experts, there is no scientific evidence that walking less than 10,000 steps does not provide much health benefit. A study published earlier this year in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine found that increasing daily walking is beneficial for cancer and heart disease, but did not say how many steps would provide these benefits. There is no consensus among scientists about how many steps should be taken daily. According to experts, instead of counting the steps, it is more important to pay attention to the walking time and its speed.

Myth 2 - Taking a walk can cure depression and anxiety.

Most exercise has mental health benefits , but no exercise, such as walking, can treat a clinical disorder by itself. Regarding how walking can improve mood, Fredrickson says that exercise can put a person in a parasympathetic or more relaxed state. This increases blood flow to the brain, which produces more endorphins. It can help us reset, recharge and refocus ourselves.

Myth 3 - You shouldn't walk every day of the week.

Walking is a low-impact activity, so it's perfectly fine to walk every day. Frederickson says that most people feel that walking does not have any significant effect on their health, so they leave it or skip it after a few days, but its benefits are not seen immediately but after some time. However, if you feel that walking makes you tired, then rest one day in a week or try other exercises like cycling and swimming. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), adults should aim for 150 to 300 minutes of moderate activity such as walking or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous exercise a week.

Myth 4 - Running is better than walking.

Walking is a low-impact exercise that has benefits such as boosting endorphins, increasing blood flow to the body and brain, and improving bone health, says Fredrickson. For common people, walking is easier than running and there are less chances of injury. Plus, it's a low-impact activity that anyone can do. They say that running is a skill and some people's body is not capable of doing it.

A lot of people ask whether they should run or walk, the answer is that if you want to get fit and improve your oxygen levels, running is better, but if you want to lower blood pressure, feel better, If you're looking for things to do or sleep better, walking is a better option.

Myth 5 - You have to walk fast to burn more calories.

Call it a myth, but it is true. Any activity burns calories, but the more intense your workout, the more calories you burn. This is also true for walking. However, the number of calories burned in a workout also depends on the weight and body structure of the person. If one wants to reduce his fat, then he needs to do brisk walking or walk for longer duration for good results.

Myth 6 - For better results, you have to walk continuously for 30 minutes.

According to HHS guidelines, people are advised to walk for 30 minutes each day, five times a week, for the best results. However, it's a common misconception that you should walk continuously for these 30 minutes, says Fredrickson. You can also break it up into smaller chunks and walk for five to 10 minutes several times throughout the day and still get the same benefits as walking 30 minutes once a day.