THE WHY OF Walking

Science proves it: These five giant health prizes can all be yours for the low, low price of hitting the road.

- KAITLYN PHOENIX

You know that any exercise helps lower your risk of heart disease and can lift your mood, but every step you take helps your health in more ways than you may realize. Check out these research-backed health benefits of walking:

Sounder Sleep

People who walk often report sleeping better, according to research. And better sleep sets off a chain reaction, says Shirley Rietdyk, Ph.D., a professor of health and kinesiology at Purdue University. "You feel better when you're done, and then that night you will sleep better, which means you'll have an improved mood tomorrow, which means you're more likely to exercise again," she explains.