Walking Or Jogging: Which Is Better?

While walking can mean a casual stroll in the park, or a brisk walk, jogging is more intense and both have good number of benefits:

• Both jogging and walking provide physical and mental health benefits, help burn calories, and can calm you down.
• Regular walking and jogging can help you in managing body weight; prevent obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain kinds of cancer.
• Improves your mood, makes you happier and gives you longer life. Regular activities protect you from depression and help you cope with issues like anxiety and stress.
• Boosts your sleep quality and concentration.
• Increases your Vitamin D levels as you are exposed to the natural environment outdoors. This also means better bone health.
• For older people, walking and jogging means improved mobility and managing other health parameters.
• Helps fight common cold by boosting your immune system.

If you are a beginner, start walking and consult with your physician if you can switch on to jogging. They may be different forms of exercises but are both considered to be a healthy way of living.

The key differences:

1. The noticeable difference between walking and jogging lies in how many calories you are burning. Jogging may burn more calories than walking, it is more demanding on the body and if your motive is to lose weight, you must continue jogging. You can walk more distance and burn the same amount of calories but you must also remember that cutting down on calorie intake is the first step to lose weight.
2. A jog is faster than a walk and when you have a time constraint, a jog may still fit in.
   
3. Jogging makes your heart steadier than walking does. It lowers the risk of cardiovascular diseases to a great extent.
   
4. Jogging is often a big step up in intensity from walking; you must add it into your routine gradually by increasing the speed, distance and frequency.
5. Jogging may not be advised for all as it can put excessive stress on your body. If your body cannot withstand too much stress, you may continue walking or opt for brisk walking.
6. Jogging will not lead to arthritis, in fact it reduces the risk of osteoarthritis.
7. You can take a walk no matter what your current health status is. It allows you to stay active.
8. Walking results in less wear and tear on your joints, and less risk of injury than in case of jogging.
9. Walking is easier and can be done with friends and you don't need special trainers for it. You tend to be more motivated to walk than jog.

What is more important to remember here is that you must be exercising regularly to derive the most of it. Walking or jogging, you must do it regularly and understand how your body responds. It's important to keep up with your exercise routine all year. You can also walk or jog indoors.

You must also note that both walking and jogging may also come with risks. Some of the most common injuries associated with running include:

• Fractures
• Soft tissue injuries
• Shin splints

If you are concerned about exercise-related injuries, it is best to stick to walking. This offers similar health benefits to jogging, with a reduced risk of injury.  People suffering from conditions like arthritis, heart disease or other chronic health conditions should consult their doctor.

Conclusion:
It is difficult to say which of the two may be more beneficial for you, because each body has a personal mechanism and while walking may suit someone, it may not be effective enough for someone else. Research has recently indicated that walking may actually be better than intense jogging or running. Whichever exercise you choose, it is likely that you will see positive results with regular participation.