10 Things That Happen to Your Body If You Walk Every Day

2. Improved eyesight

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While it may not seem intuitive, regular walking and other low-impact aerobic exercises don't just benefit the legs and cardiovascular system - they can also provide valuable benefits for eye health. Research suggests a connection between aerobic activity and reduced risk of certain eye conditions like glaucoma. Glaucoma is an eye disease where excessive fluid buildup puts damaging pressure on the optic nerve. If left untreated, it can gradually lead to vision loss and blindness. Interestingly, studies show that moderate aerobic exercise like walking may help relieve some of the intraocular pressure associated with glaucoma. The link appears to be improved blood circulation from the aerobic activity. Better blood flow helps regulate fluid levels in the eye and facilitates efficient drainage of excess intraocular fluid through the eye's drainage angles. This can temporarily reduce the buildup of pressure that puts strain on the optic nerve in glaucoma patients. Beyond glaucoma, aerobic exercise promotes overall eye health by improving oxygenation of the optic nerve and increasing production of neuroprotective compounds that can shield the retina from degenerative diseases. Walking can even help prevent or delay age-related vision problems like cataracts and macular degeneration. Of course, exercise alone is not a substitute for proper medical treatment of glaucoma or other eye conditions. However, maintaining an active lifestyle with regular bouts of aerobic activity like walking can be a valuable complementary therapy. Just 30-60 minutes per day may be enough to reap the vision-preserving benefits. So while you may associate walking primarily with leg strengthening and cardiovascular fitness, this low-impact exercise modality provides a wide range of full-body benefits - including potential eye health perks that are well worth taking a few extra steps each day.