Why Walking Is Most Powerful Defense Against Diseases

The benefits of walking are linked to decrease anxiety, better health and even higher creativity. Cardiologist Dr. Kevin Campbell joins Tanya Rivero to discuss the impacts of walking often. Photo: Getty

More from the Wall Street Journal:

[roessigk]

my grandpa started walking 2 miles a day when he was 80. now he's 82 and we have no idea where he is

[Ravenelvenlady]

As a life long New Yorker and non driver, I do A LOT of walking.

[IOSALive]

The Wall Street Journal, Your videos are fantastic! I just had to subscribe!

[MrBirge]

Just walked 1.5 hours / 5 miles - and it feels great!

[antoniacarolinasilva]

Excellent. I really love go for walk every single day.

[jovandavidovic]

Walking helps improve cardiovascular health by increasing heart rate and circulation, which can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke + it can enhance the immune system, making our bodies more resilient to illnesses. Walk, walk, walk... everywhere, every time 🚶🏻‍♂️

[healthy-natural-]

I walk every single day and will never stop, i did also switch to Hikes Pinnacle barefoot shoes and what a world of a difference, feet are getting stronger, love it. keep on walking.

[Missusri]

Indeed; exercise such as walking requires time out of our hectic schedule, and it is a luxury but we need to find the time to do it.

[malradcliffe]

It's common sense. Humans been walking since the dawn of time and since the rise of the automobile and highways, not alot of people walk anywhere and that's when the diseases come in.

[mosdominus]

the days where a doctor on tv has to tell you that the most basic human function can save your life... I think i learned that as a baby. Come on guys, go outside...

[JetLagRecords]

The Wall Street Journal, you're on a roll with your videos

[davidgreen]

I have an appointment at UCSF Medical Center September 15th. Being 70 and on a very limited social security budget, I have opted to walk from Cleveland. It is 2460 miles. Walking on average 20 miles a day and resting throughout, it will take me 123 days to the day to arrive punctually.
Such a sad ending to America's very first male exotic dancer (aka Dave 'the knave'). Yes, a third person reference...
Join me, on any leg of my route. I was taught early on, "any publicity is good publicity". And, I'll never refuse a roof for the night.
Through it all, it's been a blast!

[Metalstuff]

For me as a german who lives in Freiburg its crazy to that a 10 min walk is seen as a exercise.dont get me wrong, walking is always better than not. But here i walk like 7000 steps on a normal working day and during the weekend most of the time over 10000.

[apagoogoo]

always park kinda far away from where you're going. like an eight minute walk.

[stofelie]

But instead of weight training which I don't think is very accessible for a lot of people I think we should advocate nutrition and stretching. That is a necessity as we age and that mobility keeps you moving in old age prevents you from aging itself
As long as you take precautions because it can strengthen the bones if you don't maintain then that a mobility keeps you immobile and isolated as you age.

[Goodbyeeveryonehere]

In 2021 i went down 3 dress sizes in 6 weeks eating plant-exclusive and walking up to 10 miles every day

[SouthwestTed]

Crazy this is news from the WSJ when walking is the most basic fundamental activity of humans

[ryandeffley]

Daily walking should just be a facet of regular life and not even be a component of "exercise". I mean, yes it's technically exercise.

But ideally you should be walking 1-2hrs daily just to move and then have formal exercise that includes lifting weights at least 2-3x per week and formal cardio for at least 90 min per week.

[IusedtohaveausernameIliked]

Doc looks like he could do a bit more walking. Just saying...

[stofelie]

I respectfully disagree, I don't think weight training is for everyone and I don't think most people like it however I do agree that you encourage it.

But with walking what people neglected stretching and as we age walking is a weight-bearing exercise that strengthens our bones and muscles, especially by prove improving the heart and it's good to follow with nutrition. Of good healthy fats and greens and nutrients found in complex carbohydrates.

So what I'd like to see you do as much good healthy complex carbohydrates and minimize industrialized foods with a walking program for everyone in greening your own neighborhood sidewalks, with DIY template programs.

In addition we all need to stretch it for walking because you can pull your back out, or just that weight-bearing exercise for a long-term can really do a number if you don't stretch your quads and your hands.

But aside from that as you age you need stretching to replenish the fluids in your joints, especially if you're walking long-term you should enjoy that time but you should also be doing stretching yoga or some form of stretching like Tai chi to chair stretching or yoga or even stretching on your kitchen counter because that's a necessity as we age.

People like to engage in the marketing but there's not a lot of common sense. Oftentimes behind some of these marketing issues.

Well I love the pictures here too I'd love to see meadow walkways and other forms of walking through neighborhoods or field or whatever is available to you even greening your own sidewalks and welding them so that every sidewalk turns into a walk path.

Every disposable place or partition that is empty should be filled with wild and grains and wildflowers or wild grasses.

There should be accessibility to marketplaces with walk paths as well as local small farmers vendors or shopping districts within walking distance as well or riding.