Take a Walk in the Park Day

Need an excuse to get outside today or any day? While tomorrow is National Take a Walk in the Park Day, we feel it’s okay to celebrate a day early! This holiday encourages us to stretch our legs at our favorite park or trail to enjoy the outdoors and reap health benefits every step of the way.

The Surgeon General recommends walking 10,000 steps per day, so enjoying your local park is a fun and easy way to hit your daily goal. Walking with friends or family can help pass the time and hold you more accountable when you have a partner involved in this activity.

Walk your way to better health.

If you don’t have time to walk for 30 minutes or hour to help reach the 10,000-step mark, taking three to four 10-minute walks a day can help decrease your blood pressure. While at work, choose to take the stairs or walk around the block during your lunch break. Getting up to move for a few minutes every hour can also help productivity.

Walking is also easier on your joints than running or other high-intensity cardio. This will allow you to recover quicker and walk for longer stretches of time. To help pass the time, listen to music or your favorite podcast. Walking with a partner can also make the activity more enjoyable.

Track your steps.

Having a step goal to hit each day can be a fun challenge among your friends and family. A smartwatch or fitness tracker will allow you to know how many steps you have so far, and how close you are to hitting your daily goal. Start a competition among your coworkers or family and friends so everyone can increase their overall health.

Build your way up to longer distances.

If walking is a new hobby for you, it’s OK to start with small distances. Try to increase the length of your walk each day, or every few days to help build endurance. Additionally, it’s key to warm up before walking by stretching. Wear thick socks and comfortable shoes to avoid blisters and sore feet.

There are many parks and trails to hit this spring and summer in the Des Moines area. Read our previous blog on places to walk in central Iowa. We hope you love them as much as we do!