In order to bring you the best possible user experience, this site uses Javascript. If you are seeing this message, it is likely that the Javascript option in your browser is disabled. For optimal viewing of this site, please ensure that Javascript is enabled for your browser.

The benefits of walking

The benefits of walking

Share:
 

Walking just 15 minutes
every day can extend your life
by as much as 3 years

Who knew something as simple as walking could be so beneficial? You'll be amazed at what just 15 minutes of walking a day could do for your health…the Australian healthcare system…and even the WORLD!

Scroll down and discover the joys and benefits of walking.

How can walking benefit you?

  •    Weight loss: Walking for 30 minutes burns around 440 kJ for a woman (70kg) and 500kJ for a man (85kg) 
  •    Increased life expectancy: Recent studies show an association between walking and a 19%-30% reduction in premature deaths 
  •    15 min a day of brisk walking can have significant health benefits, adding up to three years to life expectancy - and every additional 15 minutes of daily excercise reduced all-cause death rates by a further 4% 
  •    Reduced symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression 
  •    Protect against dementia by improving blood flow to the brain 
  •    Boost your immunity to limit your odds of catching colds and flu 
  •    Build endurance by boosting your heart and lung's ability to get oxygen-rich blood to your muscles 
  •    Lower your risk of heart disease, diabetes and bowel cancer 
  •    Build strong bones to help protect against osteoporosis 
  •    Build strong muscles and support joints to help ease symptoms of arthritis 

Tips to build walking into your day

  • Try to avoid long periods of sitting at home and at work.
  • Stand up to talk on the phone - and if it's a cordless or mobile phone, walk around while you talk
  • Try to find a way of cutting down on sitting time on your way to work
  • Do things the inconvenient way
  • Bypass the lift and use stairs when you can
  • Walk, don't just stand on escalators
  • Get a move on in your lunch break. Run errands or go for a walk
  • Rethink your attitude to mopping the floor, mowing the lawn, cleaning the car or pushing a supermarket trolley around a shopping centre.
  • Play active games with your children or the dog
  • Get into the garden for a few minutes.
  • Find ways to get moving in front of the TV

15min brisk walk

burns the same
amount of energy as:

3 squares of dark chocolate
Half a banana
A slice of bread
Half a skinny latte

30min brisk walk

burns up as
much energy as:

10 min spin class
15 min jogging
20 min rowing
25 min Wii Fit™
30 min pilates
Food
Exercise

Did you know

Click to tweet this

?

Back to top

Download the Bupa Ground Miles app 

We used the following sources of information to create this infographic: