Regular exercise -- including walking -- decreases your risk of death, heart attacks, stroke, high blood pressure, some cancers, osteoporosis, depression, anxiety, and obesity. It also improves overall health, helps osteoarthritis and diabetes, boosts HDL (good cholesterol) levels, and lightens mood.

If you do not have any medical conditions that might make walking harmful to you (such as being likely to fall or having active heart disease), walking is an excellent, inexpensive form of exercise. You should always check with your medical provider before you begin any new form of exercise.

Thirty minutes of physical activity (walking or other) on most days is recommended by the Surgeon General. A brisk 30-minute walk burns about 200 calories. Walking slowly for 30 minutes uses 100 calories. Even making a few minor changes, such as parking farther from work or from a store and walking the extra distance, may be beneficial. See physical activity.