WALKING REMAINS the most popular fitness activity for good reason: You can do it anywhere, and it's a surprisingly effective workout. "Walking improves your psychological and physical health," says Patricia Friberg, a health and wellness coach in Los Angeles. For starters, it's low impact, which means it puts less stress and strain on your joints, says Samantha Parker, a certified personal trainer and yoga therapist in Washington, D.C.
The health benefits of hoofing it don't end there. The workout cuts your risk of type 2 diabetes and stroke. And people who walk for 30 minutes a day have a lower risk of heart disease, dementia. and cancer, according to two studies published in JAMA journals in 2022.
Walking can also improve your mood-especially if you walk outside-and decrease symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. After walking, you might also find that you're more creative, focused, and productive. And if you're getting your steps outdoors, you may even feel a stronger connection with your community, or at the very least, your neighborhood, Friberg adds.
To get the most benefits, you'll want to walk briskly (you've hit it if you can still talk but can't sing). Here, fitness experts share simple strategies for not only making walks more fun, but also for engaging your mind and body to make the steps fly by.
Walk with intention
This story is from the Anti-Aging edition of Real Simple.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Anti-Aging edition of Real Simple.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
what to COOK
RECIPES FOR REAL LIFE
THE BEST
Sometimes it's not enough for our editors to be instantly impressed by a product. Sometimes we want to push it to the limits in one of our three labs, our own homes, or both to see how it holds up under pressure. We cook, we wear, we smear, we clean. We evaluate and tally. Then we give out the REAL SIMPLE Selects seal. When we put that label on something, that means it's among the 5,200-plus products we've formally evaluated according to strict protocols. On this list: some of our current faves. If you see something you like, scan the QR code and get shopping!
Women & Their Finances
We partnered with the brilliant minds at the finance site Investopedia to determine what’s holding women back in the money department. The findings? We’re on our way! But we’ve got some work to do.
MAKE YOUR JEWELRY SHINE
A treasure trove of tips to get your sparkly things ready for primetime
BLUEBERRY SWEET CORN SHORTCAKE
Two of summer's best ingredients come together in an epic dessert just begging to be invited to a party.
Modern Manners Advice for Your Social Quandaries
My husband's niece is getting married in eight months. The save-the-date only had my husband's name, my name, and my husband's two kids' names (my stepkids).
5 JUNETEENTH CELEBRATIONS
Plan a seriously fun!) trip that’s rooted in history.
how we live
ADVICE, INSPIRATION A LITTLE PEACE OF MIND
design rules you should definitely break
When it comes to expressing yourself at home, sometimes it's best to ignore the \"supposed tos\" and do your own darn thing instead. As proof, we offer these rule-breaking rooms from six of our favorite designers.
THE BRIGHTEST
On this list, you'll find the people, products, and ideas that light up our world, show us the way, and change the game.