As governments gradually lift Covid restrictions and prepare for life with Covid, joining a walking club could transform your life in 2024.
A bevy of scientific studies clearly shows that walking has multiple health benefits, both physically and for your mental wellbeing. Joining a walking club also gives your emotional nourishment a pick-me-up.
Studies show that humans rely on contact with one another to feel emotionally engaged. We have an innate need to feel as though we belong to a group or community.
The lockdowns and restrictions that have been imposed by governments to steer us through the Covid-19 pandemic have been devastated millions. Mental health issues have gone through the roof.
Now you’re able to get on with your life as usual and mingle with others, joining a walking club could be just what you need to recover from the negative impact of feeling isolated for almost 2 years.
Meet New People
For singles, walking clubs are a great way to socialize and meet new people. Ramblers are generally knowledgeable and interesting people and throughout the trial, you will no doubt speak to several people.
Meeting like-minded people works wonders for mental and emotional health. When you connect with other people, you feel supported and valued. Loneliness is attributable to a higher risk of blood pressure.
Helps to Strengthen Your Immune System
The immune system is critical for warding off harmful bacteria, fungi, and viruses – like covid. As a matter of fact, the latest data shows that natural immunity from prior Covid infections protects you for longer than the vaccines.
Regular exercise improves the strength of your upper respiratory symptoms and exercising at least three days per week can reduce the risk of common colds by as much as 26% over a year.
Being in nature is also helps boost the immune system by lowering stress levels. Walking clubs typically arrange a get-together once a week and immerse themselves in nature. So you can expect to ensure your immune system will make your illness less severe when Covid next comes around.
Improve Your Fitness
If improving your fitness was a new year resolution for 2024, joining a walking club provides you with the motivation and incentive you need to keep your fitness program on track.
Walking clubs generally organize day trips and routes that cover a significant amount of distance. Long-distance walking is good for losing weight and keeping fit.
But the walks also give you the incentive to exercise throughout the week as well. Some trails tackled by walking clubs require members to be at a reasonable degree of fitness, so you need to cultivate and maintain your fitness levels throughout the week.
A good option to improve your fitness levels is to engage in a brisk walking program. Brisk walking improves your stamina but also builds your strength in your knees, ankles, thighs, and abdomen. Check out the do and dont’s of a brisk walking program before you get started.
