It’s well known that walking is probably the healthiest way to stay fit when done consistently, especially when mobility issues get the better of you. It has many health benefits with almost no strain on the body. 

If you’re someone who needs mobility aids to move around, invest in good walkers, crutches, walking sticks, etc. They provide the stability and balance required to move with minimal effort, and have various features that are suitable to particular impairments.

However, if you don’t require mobility aids and want to incorporate a healthy walking regimen, here are some tips for you.

Go easy

Walking may be a low-impact exercise, but don’t go walk too much right off the bat. Build your stamina and ability over a period of time. For example, if you haven’t walked in a while do half the distance and time as you were used to before. Rest adequately, eat well, warm up properly and stay hydrated. 

Don’t walk alone

When movement is a challenge, it’s always a good idea to have one or more persons to walk along with. This not only gives you peace of mind in terms of safety and security, but also builds motivation to keep going when you feel down and out.

Choose the right time and environment

This seems to be a no-brainer, but often, ignoring basic things such as the terrain you’re walking on or the weather can wreak havoc on your body. During the summer months, make sure you go out either really early in the morning or late in the evening, while in the winter months, you can step out in the day and get some sun on your skin. This will also warm up your joints. During the monsoons, be careful about stepping out because roads and pavements get slippery or there’s water everywhere, posing risks especially for senior citizens. Moreover, hard surfaces like sidewalks and roads can put a heavy strain on your knees and joints, so choose grassy, earthy or sandy surfaces to walk. But the best option is to walk on specialised walking tracks that have rubber coating, which is gentle on the joints and hips.

Pay attention to your body

No matter what kins of instructions and hacks you read, however, always pay attention to what your body is telling you. If you believe you can go more, do it, but if you think you can’t, then don’t push yourself. We respond to stimulus in different ways and different points and stages in life, so make sure that your mind and body are in total sync. 

Avail walking assistance for adults with MobiCrew through the website or our mobility services app.