In Make Yourself the First Priority In Your Business, I wrote about the importance of taking care of your most valuable creative business asset – YOU. Part of this self-care routine is getting some exercise every day and I used walking as an example. That got me to wondering just how much walking could benefit everyone and how it could help a businesses.
Walking helps you live longer. In fact, a Honolulu study of 8,000 men found that walking just two miles a day can cut the risk of death almost in half. The walkers’ risk of death from cancer was also reduced. Other studies have had similar findings.
According to the American Heart Association, the benefits of walking and moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day can help you:
- Reduce the risk of coronary heart disease
- Improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels
- Improve blood lipid profile
- Maintain body weight and lower the risk of obesity
- Enhance mental well being
- Reduce the risk of osteoporosis
- Reduce the risk of breast and colon cancer
- Reduce the risk of non-insulin dependent (type 2) diabetes
An article on EverybodyWalk.org touts a “wonder drug” called walking – recommended dosage is 30 minutes a day, five days a week, but children should double that to 60 minutes a day, seven days a week. Side effects may include weight loss, improved mood, improved sleep and bowel habits, stronger muscles and bones, plus you’ll look and feel better.
Prevent diabetes – get out and walk for 30 minutes a day.This will help to prevent Type 2 diabetes. A study by the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health found that walking for 30 minutes a day cut diabetes risks for overweight as well as non-overweight men and women. Walking also helps maintain blood sugar balance for those with diabetes.
So now that we know how 30 minutes of walking will improve our health, how does that translate to our business?
Walking helps you live longer and if you are living longer and maintaining a healthier lifestyle, you’ll likely be able to keep working on your creative business for many years to come. That means more years doing work that is fulfilling and makes you happy.
Walking reduces incidence of disease. I own my business and in this day and age, medical costs and insurance costs may make the difference between being in the black or living the rest of your life in debt.
Who couldn’t benefit from tone muscles, stronger bones and a better mood? Being fit and happy will go a long way to helping you get all of the things done. I will also help you have a better mental outlook even on the days when things aren’t going the way you’d like them too. Your employees, co-inhabitants and customers alike will notice.
What can you do to work a 30 minute walk into your day?
By: Vicki O’Dell, The Creative Goddess
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