Walking Benefits: Depression has become a common problem in today's busy life. Many people are struggling with stress, anxiety and apathy, but do you know that a study has revealed an easy and effective way to reduce the symptoms of depression. We are talking about walking. This study has revealed that walking daily can help a lot in reducing depression (Walking Health Benefits). Let's try to know more about this (Walking May Reduce Depression).

What does the study say?

According to this study published in the JAMA Network Journal, increasing your step count by a small amount every day can help a lot in reducing the symptoms of depression. Walking daily can greatly benefit your mental health. However, this study also found that there was no significant benefit in increasing the step count after reaching 10 thousand steps. Apart from this, yoga, weight training, aerobics and tai chi can also help a lot in maintaining mental health.

Other benefits of walking

Walking is not just an exercise, but it is beneficial for both your body and mind. There are many benefits of walking regularly, such as-

• Reducing stress- Walking increases the level of endorphins in the body, which is a natural pain reliever and mood lifter. It helps reduce stress and anxiety .
• Improves sleep quality- Walking helps you sleep better at night, making you feel refreshed throughout the day.
• Boosting self-confidence – Regular exercise can boost your self-confidence and make you feel more capable.
• Improves heart health – Walking improves heart health.
• Weight Loss- Walking daily burns calories, improves digestion and helps in reducing weight.

How to walk?

You do not need any special equipment or gym membership to start walking. You can walk anywhere, anytime. Just keep some things in mind, such as-

• Start with 15-20 minutes in the beginning and gradually increase the time.
• Walking slowly has more benefits.
• Walking in nature calms the mind and reduces stress.
• Walk wearing the right shoes and comfortable clothes to avoid injuries or nervousness.
• If you have high blood pressure or heart disease, talk to your doctor before starting walking.

How much should one walk every day?

Walking at a moderate pace for at least 150 minutes a week is enough to reduce depression. You can do this for 30 minutes daily or 30 minutes 5 days a week.

When should you walk?

You can walk at any time of the day. However, it is best to walk in the morning as it gives you a good start to your day and makes you feel energetic throughout the day. You can also walk in the evening after having dinner .