Get Outside on National Take a Walk in the Park Day

Parkway Park in Avoca

When cities are being designed, one of the primary things they ensure to make space for is city parks. From small parks the size of just a couple of blocks to large ones that cover acres of land, city planners know the importance of providing green areas for people to go.

National Take a Walk in the Park Day celebrates these small excursions and the differences they can make to our mental, physical, and emotional health. Walking is one of the best exercises to strengthen your heart. Daily walks help keep joints healthy, our muscles limber, and our hearts beating steadily. Getting out into nature has also been proven to have a number of therapeutic effects on those who take the time to do it. Stress levels go down, body and mind is refreshed, creativity gets inspired, and walking has even been shown to boast productivity at work.

When should you take a walk? Any time of day is great for a walk, but research has shown that walking in the morning has numerous benefits that improve your metabolism for the entire day.

Where should you take a walk? Keep it simple and find the nearest park in your town or city. Taking a walk at a local park is an excellent way to clear one’s mind from the stresses of the day, re-energize, and at the same time, improve health. You don't need to go on a three-mile hike, either. 

If you have got your favorite park or one close to your home, number one is easy to accomplish. Finding a friend to walk with you is a great way to keep you motivated to stick to a regular walking routine. Additionally, join a walking group to meet new people, stay motivated, and encourage others to join you. If your local community does not have a walking group, create your own! Social media is a great way to connect with locals and build your walking group. Search Google, Facebook, and other platforms to see if there is a walking group in your neighborhood, town, or county.

Click the image above to open the Facebook page for the Walk the Bluffs group

​If there isn't a group in your community, just get out and enjoy a walk to benefit your physical, emotional, and mental health. Who knows, maybe you'll meet a new friend!