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The Many Benefits of Walking
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- You
probably always hear the expression ‘take a hike!’
You know what? Health experts are actually encouraging
you to follow that particular advice.
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- Walking,
or the art of traveling by foot, is human’s natural
means of transportation. However, with today’s
society full of vehicles, walking is slowly becoming
a lost art. And this should not be, health experts said,
as walking has numerous benefits to us.
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- Here
are some that we have compiled just for you.
- Social
and Economic Benefits
- Aside
from the obvious health benefits, walking can also have
a very large social and economic impact in today’s
society.
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- Walking
is free. In comparison to the cost of operating a car,
which is approximately
5,170 dollars a year, walking will not cost you anything.
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- In
addition to this, walking will also give you more time
to interact with others.
Walking has been shown to improve self-esteem, relieve
symptoms of depression and anxiety, and improve mood.
Walking, particularly in pleasant surroundings, and
with other people, offers many opportunities for relaxation
and social contact.
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- Environmental
Benefits
- Moreover,
walking is the only form of transportation that will
not contribute to air pollution.
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- Motor
vehicle emissions represent 31% of total carbon dioxide,
81% of carbon monoxide, and 49% of nitrogen oxides released
in the United States alone, and thus create 60 percent
of air pollution.
Although individual cars are much cleaner today than
they were in earlier years, if total traffic continues
to grow, overall air quality will deteriorate. Moreover,
cars and trucks burn millions of barrels of oil, a non-renewable
energy source, every day.
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Transportation
Benefits
- Walking
will not contribute to traffic and requires less space
than automobiles. Moreover, it reduces the risk of vehicular
accidents on the road.
Walking can help to reduce roadway congestion. Many
streets and highways carry more traffic than they were
designed to handle, resulting in wasted time and energy,
pollution, driver frustration, and gridlock.
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- So
do not discount walking. It can actually do you good.
