Advantages of Taking a Walk After Meals
Many people have the habit of taking a walk after meals, it is actually suggested by many researchers to do so. Studies have found that going for a short walk of 10-15 minutes post meals benefits your digestion process and also helps in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.
If you overeat then it sort of becomes a necessity – you will notice how it quickly makes you feel better than just sitting in one spot. The easier theory that people can tell you is that because you are doing something physical so you are using up the energy. But, the food that you have just eaten hasn’t been digested yet so that isn’t exactly the reason.
Walking post meals increases the rate at which food particles move through the stomach, hence, helping with better digestion. That being said, you shouldn’t go on a walk immediately after you eat. Wait for about twenty minutes before you set out for your walk. Walking immediately can cause indigestion and acid reflux.
In most cases, even with big meals, 10-15 minutes of light walking should be sufficient. Many people go for walks after dinner majorly. They will head out, take a walk in the garden or around their block – walks after dinner is a common practice. It is a good practice because it helps you fall asleep faster and deeper.
If you are trying to lose weight, then this is another helpful little change that you can bring to your lifestyle. After eating, your blood sugar rises and falls, walking post-meal helps lower your blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, then it is a great workout to incorporate in your routine without doing much.
If you are going in a group, try to keep conversations to a minimum. Better still, don’t talk at all for the short walk. At least for the few minutes, you spend for the walk, remain silent and learn to savor the silence especially after a heavy meal. If you have had a heavy meal, then you are straining yourself already, talking while walking needs more efforts and can induce the feeling of puking with more air you take through your mouth when talking. So, after you’re done with the walk, you can consider talking to the other members of the group who accompany you to your walk.
It is also a good way to spend a few minutes with your partner or children before you go to bed. After the walk, you can choose to sit down for a few minutes and talk about your day and your plans for the next day.
If you find a location to sit for a few minutes, say you go to the garden, then go for it. Close your eyes and meditate with deep breaths – meditation is another technique to help you relax and get better sleep.
This practice is something that doesn’t take much of your time but has great benefits. If you can’t go out for a walk, then you can climb stairs, pace in your balcony, and even your room. Although outside is the best, but if you find indoor more convenient then go for it.