Say No To The Trendy Exercise, Return to Simplicity for a Healthier Lifestyle

 / 

Trendy Exercise

In the quest for fitness trends dominating social media platforms like TikTok, experts are urging individuals to rediscover the simplicity and effectiveness of a timeless exercise โ€” walking. As we approach the New Year, filled with resolutions and ambitions for a healthier lifestyle, the spotlight shifts from trendy exercise to the fundamental benefits of a good, old-fashioned walk around the block.

The Trendy Exercise Landscape

From the 12-3-30 workout, a popular trend on TikTok, to complex menstrual cycle-syncing exercise plans, the fitness world is buzzing with innovative regimes vying for attention. However, amidst the allure of these trendy exercises, experts emphasize the importance of not overlooking the basics โ€” a simple walk.

The Endorsement from Experts

Mayo Clinic cardiologist Francisco Lรณpez-Jimรฉnez stresses the ease, affordability, and effectiveness of walking as a physical activity. In an interview with Vogue.com, he highlights that walking requires nothing more than a pair of decent shoes, eliminating the need for elaborate workout routines or instructional TikTok videos.

The Health Benefits of Walking

Google’s most searched question, “What happens when I walk every morning?” prompts positive responses from health experts. Dalia McCoy, a family medicine specialist at Cleveland Clinic, outlines the numerous advantages of walking, including a reduced risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure, and improved cholesterol levels. Walking helps make the heart more efficient, contributing to enhanced cardiovascular health.

Beyond the cardiovascular benefits, McCoy emphasizes the stress-reducing, weight-loss-promoting, and immune-boosting aspects of walking. As a low-impact exercise, walking provides these benefits without excessively taxing the joints. Furthermore, several studies suggest that moderate-intensity exercises like walking can reduce the risk of various cancers.

Best Times to Walk

While there is no ideal time for a walk, McCoy recommends evenings, as exercise can positively impact sleep quality. Biologist and scientist Tamara Pazos support this notion, explaining that walking at sunrise and sunset aligns with circadian rhythms, contributing to overall well-being.

Walking for Mental Health

The negative impacts of a sedentary lifestyle, particularly for deskbound workers, are well-documented. A brisk stroll at any time of the day can provide a significant mental and physical boost by increasing heart rate, reducing stress levels, and minimizing the risk of developing certain diseases.

Determining the Right Number of Steps

The age-old question of how many steps one should take daily is answered with a simple philosophy โ€” it depends on the individual. Lรณpez-Jimรฉnez suggests that the key is to make walking a part of the daily routine. Whether it’s taking the stairs, walking the dog, or parking the car farther from the store entrance, consistency is the essence.

Blood Sugar and Walking

The fluctuation of blood sugar levels throughout the day can be managed with a short walk after eating. McCoy highlights the importance of maintaining stable blood sugar levels to avoid feelings of thirst and fatigue after meals. Even individuals with diabetes may find that their blood sugar levels become more stable with regular walking.

As individuals embark on their New Year fitness journeys, the resounding advice from experts is to not overlook the power of a simple walk. In a world inundated with trendy exercises, walking emerges as a timeless, accessible, and effective form of physical activity that brings a multitude of health benefits.

Whether it’s for cardiovascular health, stress reduction, or stabilizing blood sugar levels, the humble act of walking proves that sometimes, the most straightforward solutions yield the most profound results.


— Share —

— About the Author —

Leave a Reply

Up Next

Stress Can Lead to Cortisol Belly: Here’s How to Fix It

Trendy Exercise

Stress can affect our lives in many ways, from our mental health to our relationships, but it can also lead to physical symptoms such as โ€˜cortisol bellyโ€™. Cortisol belly, named after the stress hormone, has been widely discussed on social platforms such as TikTok, with users and experts explaining how it occurs, and theorizing what could be done about it.

While you may not have heard of the term โ€˜cortisol bellyโ€™ before, you might have heard of stubborn belly fat or stress belly, which are essentially the same thing. This is because it refers to the accumulation of visceral adipose tissue around the stomach, which has been linked to prolonged exposure to elevated levels of the stress hormone, cortisol.

What Is Cortisol Belly?

According to dietitian

Up Next

Study Reveals the Complex Relationship Between Calorie Restriction and Longevity

Trendy Exercise

For years, scientists have speculated that consuming fewer calories might help people live longer. A recent study has shed new light on this topic, suggesting that the relationship between calorie restriction and longevity is more complex than previously thought.

“We’ve known for nearly 100 years that calorie restriction can extend healthy lifespan in a variety of laboratory animals,” stated one researcher last year to CNN.

However, the new study seems to indicate a more intricate relationship between calorie restriction and living to a ripe old age.

“There are many reasons why caloric restriction may extend human lifespans, and the topic is still being studied,” explained Waylon Hastings, lead author of the study and postdoctoral researcher. “One primary mechanism through which life is extended relates t

Up Next

Exercise Cuts Heart Disease Risk by Lowering Stress, Study Finds

Trendy Exercise

New research indicates that physical activity lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease, in part by reducing stress-related signaling in the brain. The study, led by investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital and published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, found that people with stress-related conditions such as depression experienced the most cardiovascular benefits from physical activity.

To assess the mechanisms underlying the psychological and cardiovascular disease benefits of physical activity, Ahmed Tawakol, an investigator and cardiologist in the Cardiovascular Imaging Research Center at Massachusetts General Hospital, and his colleagues analyzed medical records and other information of 50,359 participants from the Mass General Brigham Biobank who completed a physical activity survey.

A subset of 774 participants also underw

Up Next

Lack of Sleep Linked to Rising Cases of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Warns Expert

Trendy Exercise

In a recent revelation, lack of adequate sleep has been associated with a concerning rise in cases of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), according to insights shared by medical experts. As sleep deprivation continues to plague a significant portion of the population, the implications on public health are becoming increasingly alarming.

More than a third of adults in the United States fail to attain the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep each night, a trend that has sparked growing concerns among healthcare professionals. The scarcity of shuteye, it turns out, can have profound effects beyond daytime fatigue and drowsiness.

What is Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease?

According to Ibrahim Hanouneh, a gastroenterologist with

Up Next

Study Explores Impact of Residential Green Space on Childhood Mental Health

Trendy Exercise

A recent study published in JAMA Network Open investigates the relationship between residential green space and externalizing and internalizing symptoms in children. Conducted in the United States, the study aims to identify potential factors that can mitigate risks associated with childhood mental health disorders.

According to the study, up to 40% of children in the US may meet the criteria for mental disorders by adulthood, with an increased prevalence of externalizing (e.g., rule-breaking and aggression) and internalizing (e.g., depression and anxiety) symptoms.

Researchers suggest that environmental factors, such as green spa

Up Next

Study Links Volatile Work Hours to Burnout and Health Issues

Trendy Exercise

A recent study conducted by NYU Social Work professor Wen-Jui Han has shed light on the detrimental effects of volatile work hours on both physical and mental health. The research, which analyzed data spanning over 30 years, found a significant correlation between irregular work hours and increased health concerns.

The study, which examined the work schedules and sleep patterns of over 7,000 Americans, revealed that individuals working rotating shifts were more prone to health problems such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. The primary factor contributing to these issues was identified as a disruption in sleep patterns caused by inconsistent work schedules.

Jamaica Shiers, a representative from Path Behavioral Health in Salt Lake City, emphasized the prevalence of burnout among adults, attributing it to the pressure to maintain peak performance at al

Up Next

New Study Suggests Balanced Diet Better Than Vegetarian Diet for Brain Health

Trendy Exercise

In a groundbreaking study published in Nature Mental Health, researchers have shed light on the relationship between dietary patterns and brain health. The study suggests that a balanced diet, comprising various food types, may be superior to a vegetarian diet in supporting mental well-being and cognitive function.

The research, which analyzed data from nearly 182,000 participants, focused on four main dietary patterns: starch-free/reduced starch, vegetarian, high-protein/low-fiber, and balanced diet. Participants’ food preferences were examined in categories such as fruits, vegetables, starches, protein, and snacks.