Top 5 Reasons You Should Walk at Lunch

| 2 min read

Two businesswomen walk, talk and drink coffee in the middle of a workday.
Have you heard of National [email protected] Day?
This annual event, created by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies, encourages Michigan employees to take part on Wednesday, April 26.
All you have to do to participate is bring your walking shoes to work and step outside on your lunch break for a brisk 30-minute walk.
Handrawn illustration of walking at lunch
We think you should make every day a walk-at-lunch day! Here are the top five reasons why:
  1. Your health. If you can’t seem to fit exercise in before or after work, walking at lunch is a no-brainer. The health benefits of a simple, brisk walking routine are well-established. Incorporating a once-a-day walk can help you lose or manage weight, prevent conditions such as high blood pressure, strengthen your bones, and improve balance and coordination.
  1. Sitting all day is deadly. Even if you do get a workout in during your day, the eight-plus hours you spend sitting at your desk isn’t good for your body and may even counteract that effort at the gym. We’re designed to move! Small bursts of activity during the day go a long way toward improving your health. Step away from your desk. It’ll be there when you get back.
  1. Nature! While moving at lunch is good for your body, getting out in nature on your break could be good for your soul. Many studies point to a positive relationship between time spent outdoors and mental well-being.
  1. It’s social. Grab your work friends or meet up with others who work close to you to make your walk fun. Regularly meeting up with friends can boost happiness, reduce stress, and improve self-confidence and self-worth, according to the Mayo Clinic.
  1. Your brain (and your boss) will thank you. Taking a walking break can actually help improve your focus once you get back to your desk. When you exercise, your body pumps more blood everywhere, including your brain. The extra blood and oxygen you get from exercising can actually help you perform better mentally.
Dust off those walking shoes and get outside on National [email protected] Day or any day you feel like taking a step toward better health!
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Photo credit: Getty Images

A Healthier Michigan is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit, independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
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