You don’t have to walk 500 miles, and then walk 500 more miles to get the health benefits from walking.

According to The Heart Association as little as 150 minutes of brisk walking a week can gain you health benefits that can help you:

• Think better
• Feel better and
• Sleep better.

Those all sound like enough reasons, to us, to lace up our shoes and take a quick walk around the block. But the benefits don’t stop there. You can also see:

• Risk reduction of serious diseases like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and many cancers.
• Improvement in blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels.
• Increase in stamina and overall energy.
• Improvement of mental and emotional well-being.
• Less risk of depression.
• Improvement in memory.
• A boost in bone strength and reduction in your risk of osteoporosis.
• Prevention of weight gain.

While 150 minutes can sound like a lot – don’t forget that it all adds up! Ten minutes here and there can make all the difference in hitting your movement goals. It’s as simple as taking your dog for a walk, using the time you’re chatting with a friend on the phone to walk around your neighborhood, or even parking further away when you go grocery shopping to get some extra steps in.

If you head out to walk don’t forget to be safe. Make sure you’re aware of your surroundings, remain alert, know where you’re walking so you don’t get lost, and listen to your body. If you have pain while walking reach out to your provider. Schedule an appointment online with us, today, if you need – so we can help you get in tip top walking shape.

The best step you can take is the first one. Take the stairs instead of the elevator this week, even if it’s just for one or two floors. Your heart and your health will thank you later. And so will your dog, if you take them for a walk!