Health Benefits of Walking

Walking is one of the BEST things you can do for your overall health. Many diseases, conditions, and ailments can be prevented or even healed by participating in regular physical activity. Fortunately, even moderate-intensity aerobic activity such as walking can provide these incredible health benefits.

How often should you walk?

• The CDC recommends that adults should aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week (about 20-30 minutes per day)
• What is considered moderate-intensity activity? Use the “talk test” – if you can talk, but not sing, you’re at the right pace.
• Pair with two days per week of muscle-strengthening activities.
• Children should participate in 60 minutes of physical activity daily.

Ways to get active

• Find things you like to do. Whether it’s walking, swimming, cycling, hiking, dancing, etc, all forms of movement count!
• Have an accountability partner – include your family, friends, and pets, or join a local Walk with a Doc group.
• Find ways to incorporate movement in your daily activities:
  • Take the stairs instead of the elevator
  • Park further away in the parking lot
  • Host walking meetings at work
  • Move during TV commercial breaks

Share with a Friend:

Feel free to use the materials below to share the “miracle drug” of walking with others.