Walking is one of the easiest things that you can do to improve your health. It doesn’t require equipment or any special skill and brisk walking counts towards your 30 minutes of daily physical activity. Physical activity may help you manage your weight; reduce your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers; strengthen your bones; improve your mood and more. Below are some ideas about how to walk more for your health.
- Create a walking group with coworkers, neighbors or fellow parents at your kids’ school.
- Take an evening walk with the whole family as a great way to catch up with each other.
- Pledge to walk when your destination is within a ½ mile from you.
- Take a walk during your lunch break to get the blood flowing, especially if your job requires you to sit often.
- You can purchase pedometers, which track the number of steps you take, for under $5 and keep track of your progress. Aim to increase your steps.
References:
CDC. Physical activity for everyone: The benefits of physical activity. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/health/index.html
Penedo, F. J., & Dahn, J. R. (2005). Exercise and well-being: A review of mental and physical health benefits associated with physical activity. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 18(2), 189-193.
Warburton, D. E., Nicol, C. W., & Bredin, S. S. (2006). Health benefits of physical activity: The evidence. CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association Journal = Journal De l'Association Medicale Canadienne, 174(6), 801-809. doi:10.1503/cmaj.051351
