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Keeping fit while on holiday is easier than you think.

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Keeping fit while on holiday is easier than you think. 

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When it comes to working out while you’re on vacay, there’s probably nothing easier than walking. This low-impact, no-equipment-needed activity can be done almost anywhere – plus it’s a great way to get out and explore a new place. Aim to clock at least 10,000 steps a day to reap the most benefits. Here’s what you stand to gain from putting on your walking shoes: 

A HEALTHIER HEART 

After trawling through over 4,000 studies and reviewing 18 of them, two University College London scientists concluded that walking reduced the risk of cardiovascular illnesses by 31 per cent, and one’s risk of dying by 32 per cent. Those who walked the longest or fastest enjoyed the greatest heart protection. 

BETTER IMMUNITY

Help your body ward off germs and infections by incorporating regular exercise, like – you guessed it – walking! Doing so improves your overall health, strengthens the immune system, and promotes good blood circulation throughout the body. 

LESS LOWER BAC K PAIN 

When it comes to relieving lower back pain, brisk walking was found to be just as effective as clinical rehabilitation. This was the finding of a study from Tel Aviv University. To reap the benefits, hit the road two to three times a week for 20-40 minutes at a go. 

REDUCED CHANCES OF OBESITY

Harvard researchers conducted a study with over 12,000 people and found that those who brisk-walked for an hour a day managed to reduce the effect of obesity- promoting genes in their body. This is in addition to all the weight-loss benefits that walking already provides. 

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HEIGHTENED CREATIVITY

Walking – outdoors and indoors – boosted creativity, reveals findings from a Stanford University study, so get those juices flowing! What’s more, their inspired ideas lingered even after participants sat down shortly afterwards.  

DIMINISHED STRESS

That zen feeling you get from taking a walk in the park is real. Results from a small-scale UK study found that volunteers seemed to enter a meditative state when walking through nature. 

CURBED CRAVINGS

Regular walks can also help manage your sweet tooth. Research by the University of Exeter found that a 15-minute walk helped regular chocolate eaters cut their intake by half. This was true even when study participants were put through stressful situations. 

LOWER HEALTH RISKS

There’s no need for speed. A new American Heart Association study involving over 33,000 runners and 15,000 walkers found that brisk walking lowers your risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes just as much as running. This is great news for those who don’t like running, or can’t because of an injury or limitation. 

Brisk walking lowers your risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes just as much as running. 

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