When was the last time you walked? I mean not just to the water cooler in the office or the corner grocery shop near home, but a real kilometre or more. If you have to dig deep into your memory to answer this simple question, you are probably part of the non-walkers group. Those who use four wheels and two wheels to go from point A to B but never the mode of transport we were all born with – our legs.
Walking isn’t rocket science, but it is definitely becoming an endangered species. More and more people are chucking the use of legs to jump into their scooters, bikes and cars and zoom around. Even school children can’t wait to get themselves a bike or a scooty to go to school. With affordable Nanos on the road, even babies seem to wish being born with steering wheels instead of legs.
But just put the brakes for a moment and contemplate on the harms this passion for the machines is bringing to us as well as the planet.
- The fuel that is fed to the vehicles is priced high because it is a priced item. The world is fast running short of the petroleum as the source of these fossil fuels is depleting rapidly.
- When the petrol is burned in the car or bike, it is spreading more and more destructive gases into the environment like carbon dioxide – the villain causing global warming.
- With more vehicles on the road, traffic congestions, increased time to reach destination, frequency of accidents and accidental deaths have all multiplied.
- People are becoming fatter faster because all you do is sit – on the working chair, on the driver’s seat, on the couch etc.
- With the sedentary lifestyle, people are getting heart attacks, body aches, vascular diseases and other ailments at an earlier age – as early as in the 30s.
So how do you get rid of all these problems at once? Walk.
Remember when a baby starts to crawl, his parents are anxious to teach him to walk, because standing on your own feet is the biggest gift that has been given to mankind. It is these two legs that make us a little bit superior than the rest of the living world. It is these two legs that give us a psychological advantage, a confidence that nothing else can match. And walking does a lot and lot of good. Here is how,
- Saves money – The one you spend on buying fuel for your vehicle.
- Reduces global warming – If you are not driving your car, you are not emitting the fowl gases harming the environment.
- Helps you loose weight – If your office is about 3 Kms from home and you walk to and fro five days a week, it can help reduce 2000 calories in a week!
- Helps keep the heart fit – Walking is a good cardiovascular exercise and it helps reduce blood pressure too.
- No more expensive gyms – Walking helps you workout and reach a destination at the same time. So no need to go to the gym.
Start walking, to school, to college and to the office. If not every day at least once a week. If your office is too far to walk, you could perhaps chuck the car keys for a day and walk a little before you take a public transport. If you are already taking a bus or train you could get down at an earlier stop and walk the rest of the distance. You will definitely find the experience satisfying because it will not only keep you fit but also keep the planet fit and pollution free.
Take the steps now and re-discover the joy of walking.
Image Credit sidewalk flying via cc/Flickr
