National Walk to Work Day

Today is National Walk to Work Day.  This holiday began in 2004, celebrated on the first Friday of April.  Use your feet today!

Before You Start

Read about walking and consider what precautions, if any, you need for walking in your area.

Dress appropriately for walking.

If you are out of shape or have a chronic health condition, consult your regular health care provider before starting any new exercise program.

Benefits of Walking

Walking has many benefits.  Some are related to health.  Some are just about enjoying life a little more.

• You see more of the world around you when you walk rather than ride inside a vehicle.  Feel the sun and the breeze.  Smell the flowers and delicious things cooking in restaurants, food stores, or bakeries.  Watch the other people and animals.  Say “Hello” to people.
• Walking decreases the risk of some diseases (such as heart attack and stroke) while reducing the effect of some others (such as insomnia, depression, and constipation).
• If you want to lose weight, and improve your muscle tone and endurance, walking is an excellent form of low-impact exercise with minimal risk of injury.
• Walking relaxes you and boosts your mood.  It feels good.
• On a sunny day, walking outside helps your body make enough vitamin D to keep you healthy.  (If the sun is very hot, wear a hat and sunscreen.)  The light helps make you alert and awake, too.
• Walking shrinks your environmental footprint.  It’s one of the greenest forms of transportation available!
• It doesn’t cost anything to walk.

Walking to Work — and Beyond!

There are many different ways you can use walking as a form of transportation.  Ideally, you should start with short easy walks and then increase the length and/or difficulty.

If you live less than about half an hour from where you work, then walk the whole distance.  If you can manage a longer commute on foot, go for it!

If you live too far from your workplace to walk the whole distance, then try to walk part of it.  You might walk to a farther bus stop than the closest one to your home, or park your car at a garage farther from work than usual, and walk the extra distance.  Sometimes this can save you money.

If you leave your workplace for lunch, walk to a nearby restaurant instead of driving there.  Invite your coworkers to walk with you.

Look for walking trails near you.  There are lists and maps that can help.

How walkable is your town?  If it’s not very good for walking, find other places that are better.  Consider visiting or even moving to a more walkable locale.