Get Moving! It’s National Walking Day

Dust off your Nikes, grab your pals (yep, furry ones count!) and hit the road for National Walking Day on April 6.

Since 2007, the American Heart Association has held this event on the first Wednesday in April to remind us all about the importance of physical activity. The goal is to encourage everyone to get up and moving and take at least 30 minutes to simply walk.

Not all physical activity requires spandex, excessive sweating or a protein-packed recovery drink. In fact, just taking more steps in a day is an easy and effective place to start.

Here at PHA we’re crazy about walking. We could go on and on about its benefits (and we often do!), but the bottom line is this: Walking is the simplest and easiest form of exercise, which is why we’ve compiled a list of some great ways to fit more strolling into your daily routine — no sweat required:

  1. Take your next phone call on foot. Whether it’s your boss calling, your neighbor or a friend, stand up and go for a stroll while you’re having a conversation.
  2. Take the stairs. Stair climbing has moved beyond the broken elevator option. It not only saves time (especially during peak hours when it seems to stop at every floor), but it increases strength and is good for your heart!
  3. Walk the dog. Fido needs exercise, too! So strap on the leash and take a walk around the neighborhood or to the dog park.
  4. Take a family stroll. Grab the gang and head outside for a walk, especially now that the weather is warming up. It’s a great way to burn energy either pre- or post-dinner!
  5. Park farther away. Driving to the office, school, the mall or even the bank? Then you can easily add more steps into your day by picking the farthest parking spot possible.
  6. Get off one stop early. If you’re taking public transportation, such as the bus or subway, why not get off one stop sooner, and walk those extra blocks to your destination?
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Comments (1)
  • bobell says:

    Thanks for posting this – it’s really great to get out and get moving!

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