I have always been a huge fan of walking. I live near a very beautiful beach and make time for a power walk along the shore several times a week.

I have friends who slog it out in hot, sweaty, odiferous gyms regularly in pursuit of good health and the body beautiful. 

Instead, I choose to simply put my walking shoes on, breathe in the crystal clear sea air, swing my arms and stride out. I know from a lifetime of being a passionate fan of walking that the health benefits and feelings of wellbeing are enormous.  

Health bodies around the world advise that if we walk 10,000 steps a day (that's around 8km) we reap the benefits in terms of a healthy cardiovascular system and reduced body fat. 

In fact, when you do the research, it quickly becomes clear that walking is a no cost, no side effect, pleasurable panacea for a raft of body, mind and spirit woes.

If you cannot manage 8km a day, aim for 30 minutes of brisk walking daily at a speed of around 5km/hr, and you will be cutting your risk of heart disease by 40 per cent. 

Brisk walking lowers the potentially troublesome LDL cholesterol in your blood, while simultaneously raising protective HDL cholesterol. Blood pressure is lowered and your risk of developing type 2 diabetes (with its accompanying heart risks) also diminishes.

A large Harvard study involving 11,000 men found that walking for one hour a day, five days a week reduces the risk of stroke by a massive 50 per cent.

It's not just your cardiovascular system that will thank you for investing in a good pair of walking shoes: the same pleasurable exercise also boosts your immunity, reduces your risk of osteoporosis (by increasing bone density), lowers stress levels and improves sleep quality.

Then there's the added benefit of a substantial drop in the risk of breast, prostate and colon cancer if you walk regularly.

Depression is a modern day pandemic, and scripts for antidepressants continue to skyrocket. If you're suffering the blues, or even depression, practice some natural medicine in the form of 30 minutes of brisk walking daily.

Studies show that you will reduce your symptoms of depression by half. The sadness and irritability of PMS will also disappear or ease with regular walking.

Have I convinced you to get up off the couch, put on your shoes and sunblock and walk your way to a healthier you!

Lynda Wharton is a health and wellbeing writer, columnist and author. She also practises as an acupuncturist and naturopath.

lynda@lyndawharton.com

www.lyndawharton.com