Walking is Good for Your Feet!

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Doctors and exercise researchers tell us that we should engage in moderate-intensity aerobic exercise for at least 30 minutes per day, 5 days per week. One of the easiest ways to accomplish this is to get your heart pumping by walking. You don’t need any special equipment - except a good pair of shoes. And there are no expensive gym memberships needed; simply walk out your door, get moving, and enjoy the fresh Monmouth County air.

Walking is a weight-bearing exercise, meaning that it tones up your muscles and challenges your bones to remain strong. That’s good news for your feet and ankles:

  • Regular walking helps keep you from gaining weight. Extra pounds can be responsible for many health problems, including foot pain from flat feet and plantar fasciitis.

  • Daily walks improve your cardiovascular fitness and help pump blood to your feet.

  • Walking also gives you functional fitness, especially as you age. When you’re an active walker, you’re better at moving around in general and you’re less likely to take a fall.

  • Finally, it can help prevent osteoporosis, a disease that thins your bones and can cause stress fractures in your feet.

Walking offers great mental health benefits, too:

  • It releases endorphins, helping you overcome feelings of depression and anxiety.

  • If you’re feeling like you could use some alone time, walk by yourself. If you’re craving the company of friends, walking outside with them can be a COVID-safe activity.

  • It can give you a real feeling of accomplishment; it’s not so difficult that you’re tempted to quit early on. You can pace yourself, gradually increasing your time and distance as you are able.

At Affiliated Foot & Ankle Center, we’re big on exercise and sports medicine. If you’ve got a foot problem that makes walking difficult, start by making an appointment at our Howell or Jackson offices. Our board-certified podiatrists, Dr. Samantha Boyd, Dr. Hal Ornstein, Dr. Dan Phan, and Dr. Joseph Saka, have years of experience to help you get back on your feet. Call us at (732) 905-1110 or contact us online.