Daily walk safeguards health against fatal diseases.

ISLAMABAD -- A daily half an hour walk in clean and green environment along roadside, footpaths, parks, open spaces or trails does wonders in safeguarding human body against

fatal diseases.

Walking is a powerful mood-medicine for protecting health of heart, brain and sharpening memory. Similarly, deep breathing exercise in open area supports the systems of body which are otherwise harmed either by stress or depression.

Medical specialists opined that a minimum walk of 12 minutes in green area increases joviality, vigor, attentiveness and self-confidence as compared with

the same time spent in sitting.

The physical exercise can help reduce blood pressure and even change the expression of genes. It is a medically proven fact that besides scenery of green

area, chirping of birds is also considered a powerful anti-depressant.

The boost of oxygen is important because it allows cells to produce more energy. Therefore, daily walk and physical exercise allow a greater entrance of oxygen to brain. The added energy allows brain to repair, regenerate and function better.

According to reports, Bhuttan is considered as one of the happiest countries in the world due to the fact that its people consume three times more oxygen than the rest of the world.

Talking to reporter, a medical practitioner, Dr. Saima Razak while laying emphasis on importance of walk, said physical activity in the open had its own merits. She said, "walk reduces depression, boosts self-esteem and improves the overall body functions'.

According to medical experts, walking and breathing in cooler air can help regulate and even lower the temperature of brain and a cool brain is more pleasurable to body and mind than the warm ones.

According to psychiatrists, a daily walk for at least 30 minutes prompts the body to release hormones endorphins. It reduces depression and triggers positive feeling inside the body.

This positive feeling, they said, is good for overall wellbeing of the body in general and for heart and brain in particular. Thus it endorses the popular saying, 'A healthy body has a healthy mind'.

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