People have likely been taking a walk outside since the beginning of human history! And ever since people have made the habit of living indoors, it has been a delight for them to get outdoors for a walk in the fresh air.
Putting one foot in
front of the other might seem like something completely natural that can be
done without thinking. And for the most part, it is! But sometimes, in today’s
world of working at a desk, staring at a computer or standing at a retail or
restaurant job, it can be hard to get outside and get those legs going.
A perfect time to be
intentional about enjoying some sunshine, getting some exercise and breathing
some fresh air, Take a Walk Outdoors Day offers just the motivation needed to
get outside and get moving!
How
to Celebrate Take a Walk Outdoors Day
Find a large amount
of enjoyment and appreciate the health benefits of Take a Walk Outdoors Day by
celebrating with some of these fun ideas:
Take
a Walk Outdoors!
Of course, the first
thing to do on Take a Walk Outdoors Day is to get off the couch, put on those
sneakers and take a walk. Whether it’s waking up early and heading out for a
walk in the morning before work, or taking a little jaunt during the lunch
hour, this is a great start to creating a new habit of walking for health and
wellness. This could be just a 10 minute walk outside to stretch a bit, or a
full hour at a solid pace to burn those calories. In any case, the point is to
be sure to get outside, at least for a few minutes, and go for a walk!
Make
a Commitment to Walking Outdoors Regularly
Since Take a Walk
Outdoors Day comes near the beginning of the year, it’s a great time to make a
commitment to being healthier throughout the entire year by walking outside
several times a week. Invest in purchasing a pedometer, or use one that is an
app on a smartphone, to help with motivation on getting those steps in each and
every day.
To make this habit
more likely to stick, perhaps grab a buddy, friend or spouse to take a walk
outdoors together! Taking a walk outside with an exercise partner can be much
more fun, offering not only someone to keep company, but also providing
accountability.
Create
a Musical Playlist for Walking
In honor of Take a
Walk Outdoors Day, make a list of music to play while going on that walk. Get
inspired by some of these titles that are written around the theme of walking:
·
Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves (1983). Released by the
eighties British Band, this song was the most popular one that the band
released
·
Walking in Memphis by
Marc Cohn (1991). Written and recorded by Marc Cohn, this song was nominated
for a Grammy Award for song of the year
·
Walking by Myself by
Jimmie Rogers (1956). Learn to appreciate that time alone and for walking on
your own
·
Walk of Life by
Dire Straits (1985). Appearing on Dire Straits fifth album, this song has a
catchy tune that’s perfect for walking to!
Organize
a Community Event
Make this day about
not only yourself but about the people in the community around you by creating
an event in honor of Take a Walk Outdoors Day. Encourage friends, family
members, coworkers and neighbors to get outside and take a walk that can be
lots of fun and be healthy for everyone involved. Many people also like to
organize these types of community walking events that are used to raise funds
and donations for charity, making the benefits and payoff even greater.
Invest
in Some New Walking Shoes
Those who are
celebrating Take a Walk Outdoors Day might want to consider the fact that
proper footwear is very important when it comes to taking care of those feet.
In addition to preventing injury, wearing good walking shoes also helps with
maintaining the proper technique.
Take a look at some
of these reasons that it might be time to consider buying some new walking
shoes to replace your old ones:
·
Your current walking shoes are showing wear and tear. Take a look at the soles and treads of those
walking shoes. If the treads on the toes or heels are worn down, it might be
time to get new walking shoes.
·
Your walking shoes feel loose. Walking shoes should fit your feet snugly and
comfortably. If they have quite a bit of give even when tied securely, it means
it’s time to start shopping.
·
Your knees and hips are aching. When those walking shoes get a bit older, the midsoles
may stop compressing which means they cease to provide the shock absorption and
support needed.
·
You want to get motivated to walk more. It’s amazing what a little financial investment in
some new walking shoes can do to provide that extra motivation to keep taking a
walk outdoors every day.
Take
a Walk Outdoors Day FAQs
How long does it take to walk a mile?
The average person
can walk a mile in about 14-21 minutes, depending on their pace.
Does taking a walk count as exercise?
Yes, taking a walk is
great exercise, has great health benefits, is great for mental health and it’s
also free!
Why is taking a walk good for you?
Taking a walk
outdoors can help to trim the waistline, lose body fat, improve cardiovascular
fitness, strengthen the muscles and much more.
Is walking indoors as good as outdoors?
People who walk
outdoors tend to burn more calories, build better agility, and increase their
mental health and mood.
What are the benefits of walking outdoors?
Walking outdoors may
lower the risk of lung cancer, improve creativity, improve Vitamin D levels and
improve collagen levels that help the skin look better.
History of Take a Walk Outdoors Day
As far back as
ancient Roman times, people have been interested in measuring walking. In this
case, the concept of a mile was related to the need to be able to better plan
for the military. In fact, it was the idea of measuring the distance that Roman
soldiers were walking that motivated Leonardo Da Vinci to create one of the
world’s first mechanical pedometers in the 15th century.
Famous artists and
activists such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau and Mahatma Gandhi
have all shared their ideas that encouraged walking outdoors as a type of
physical exercise and meditation for the soul as well as a form of civil
disobedience and peaceful protest.
With the purpose of
reminding people to stay active and enjoy some fresh air, Take a Walk Outdoors
Day offers an excellent reason to connect with health and also spend some time
in nature.
Take
a Walk Outdoors Day Timeline
15th Century
Leonardo Da Vinci invents the step
counter
A predecessor to the
modern day pedometer, Da Vinci creates a device to track how far soldiers
walked.
1977-1983
George Meegan sets the record for
longest walk
Traversing a journey
from the southernmost point of South America to the northernmost point of North
America in Alaska, Meegan takes 2,426 days to complete the journey.
1987
I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) is
released by The Proclaimers
The Scottish duo of
brothers releases their catchy song with the lyrics, “I would walk 500 miles”.
1994
Forrest Gump takes his famous walk
outside
In the movie starring
Tom Hanks, the character Forrest Gump walks more than 15,000 miles across the
United States.
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