subject: Benefits To Walking & Running [print this page] If you have severe back pain or are recovering from an injury, you should consult your doctor before delving into these exercises. In some cases, your body is not physically ready or able to perform certain exercises and attempting them can cause more pain or permanent damage.
One of the simplest forms of exercise is underrated, but is very effective. For most people, walking is almost as natural a breathing, but they don't know that it can greatly strengthen their back.
Walking builds up the muscles in the legs, which are essential to supporting the spine. The stronger your legs muscles are the more support there is for your back and less your spine has to work.
Though walking from your car to your desk is a good start, you should really make an effort to set aside a time to walk every day. This can mean walking to and from work if you're relatively close, or just taking a 20 minute walk when you get home in the evenings.
Since walking isn't a strenuous task, you don't have to worry about getting all sweaty, meaning you can even do it during your lunch break. And if you don't have time before or after work, just take the stairs instead of the elevator while at the office, park farther away from the door; just do small things everyday that keep you on your feet.
Just as walking is good for your back, jogging can also provide a benefit that will lead to stronger muscles that will alleviate pain. It is important to ease into jogging, not pushing yourself too hard too fast; this will only hurt your muscles, not make them healthier.
Jogging builds up your leg muscles, which takes some stress off of your spine. If done with good posture, it can also make your entire body function better when doing everyday tasks.
Jogging with a straight spine and neck balances your weight and distributes it evenly through your back and legs.Besides strengthening your back, these exercises can also lead to weight loss which will also relieve back pain.
Extra weight on your body causes extra strain on your back since it has to support that weight. Shedding the extra pounds will remove the strain off of your back and allow your spine to move more freely and easily.
Jogging is a proven exercise that helps shed fat off of your abdomen, waist, hips, and thighs. It also builds up muscle that can make your body more toned and give the ability to do things your otherwise could not have.
Jogging and walking give you more flexibility and agility, allowing you to venture off into more activities like hiking, biking, swimming, and sports. Getting your body into better shape can open your life up to more opportunities and adventures.
People who live active lifestyles are more likely to become successful in their workplace. It also provides benefits socially, allowing you to make more friends while participating in these activities and making you more comfortable in other social settings as well.
Another benefit of taking the time to walk or run is the opportunity to clear you head. Studies have shown that people who go for a walk or run on a daily basis feel less stressed during the day and are able to perform their tasks more efficiently.
Even though running seems like a tiring activity, it is actually a great way to renew your body and allow it to wind down mentally and release stress physically. This gives you more energy throughout the day both physically and psychologically.
You should always stretch before and after exercising your muscles; especially after swimming, jogging or cycling. This will ensure the health of your muscles, making sure they do not tense up. Failure to take care of your muscles through stretching can greatly impair your ability to perform any type of exercise, and can make you stiff.
