Facts You Should Share on National Walk to Work Day

15 Facts You Should Share on National Walk to Work Day

April 4th, 2012

Walking to work offers a host of benefits for both employees and employers, but so many people miss out on these perks and continue to drive to and from work each weekday. National Walk to Work Day is a great opportunity to try walking to work on for size, as well as a good time to spread the word on why walking to work is such a great idea to implement in your own office. We’ve found 15 facts that just might have you lacing up your walking shoes and encouraging others to do the same!

1. Walking can help you live longer

   Your daily commute could turn into an opportunity for living a longer life. Studies have shown that time spent walking translates into a longer life expectancy. One hour of vigorous exercise on your way to work can increase your life expectancy by two hours. Done on a regular basis, walking to work can make a big difference in your length and quality of life.

2. Workplace wellness incentives work

   Incentives and amenities that encourage employees to walk to work can pay off, big time. Installing showers, offering bonuses, and getting the word out are all great ways to promote walking to work, and these moves can make a big difference not just for employee health, but the company’s bottom line: research has shown that for every $1 invested in workplace wellness, companies get up to $3 back.

3. Brisk walking has many benefits

   Regular brisk walking has huge benefits, including lower mortality rates from heart disease and cancer, but there are plenty of smaller benefits as well. Walkers also benefit from reduced body fat, lower blood pressure, reduced risk of bone fracture, and an increase of good cholesterol.

4. Simply walking to work can meet your exercise needs for the whole week

   Forget going to the gym or long runs on weekend mornings. You can enjoy your evenings and sleep in just by trading your car for a pair of speakers. Public health recommendations note that 30 minutes of walking five times a week will meet your physical activity needs.

5. Walking can get the brain moving

   If your company is in need of better ideas and motivation, asking employees to walk to work might be just the thing you need to get going. Studies have shown that walking, even at an easy pace, for at least one and a half hours per week can result in significantly better cognitive function, and less cognitive decline.

6. Walking to work is a recipe for weight loss

   It’s not hard to understand that physical activity, including walking, can lead to weight loss. But walking to work is especially effective. Studies show that walking an extra 20 minutes a day can burn seven pounds of body fat per year. Longer, moderately paced daily walks, the kind of walking you might do on your way to work, is the best kind of walking for losing weight.

7. Walking can boost office morale

   If your office is looking a little depressed these days, a walking initiative can help cheer things up. A study from the University of Texas indicated that people with major depressive disorders had an improvement in mood, as well as a positive well-being and vigor after walking for 30 minutes. Daily walks to the office can have employees in a better mood when they come through the door, especially if it means leaving rush hour behind.

8. Walking to work represents a huge fuel savings

   In addition to health benefits, walking to work can mean a great savings on transportation costs. Low estimates place an annual cash savings at $300 to $500, plus an annual CO2 savings of 200 to 500 kg. Avoiding 10 miles of driving each week means a CO2 savings of 500 pounds per year. Don’t forget about parking fees, too!

9. Walking to work can drop health care costs

   Regular walking can add up to a huge health care savings. According to The Physician and Sportsmedicine, walking three or more times a week for 30 minutes or more can save employees $330 a year in health care costs. This may also translate into a health care savings for businesses as well.

10. Walking is just as effective as jogging

    Jogging sure seems to be a great way to roast calories, but the fact is that it doesn’t burn more calories per mile, it just takes less time to jog the mile than walk it. But walking to work can actually save time, allowing employees to multitask by taking care of transportation and exercise at the same time, where joggers may have to get up an hour or two earlier to fit in a run.

11. Walking is exercise that employees can stick with

    If you’re worried about starting a walk to work program, only to have it abandoned a month later, worry not. Walking for exercise has staying power. Studies show that walking has the lowest dropout rate of any type of exercise.

12. Walking to work can boost productivity

    Employees who walk to work enjoy a host of health benefits, including reduced stress, lower cholesterol, and a lessened risk of heart disease. Experts indicate that reducing just one health risk in the workplace, including stress and heart disease, can increase productivity by 9%. With all that walking has to offer, companies can expect to see a marked improvement in productivity when employees are encouraged to walk to work.

13. Walking is a great way to beat workplace stress

    Work is undoubtedly a major source of stress for many adults, but there are many ways to fight back, and walking is one of them. 25% of walkers report that daily walks contributed to reduced stress levels. Walking to work can help reduce workplace stress levels, resulting in happier, healthier employees.

14. Sick employees can go back to work earlier

    Walking is great for rehabilitation. Employees who have been out of work due to heart attack or stroke can return earlier if they walk, an exercise that’s proven to be effective for getting back in to healthy daily life. Walking to work only strengthens this health, keeping illness-prone employees healthier and more likely to be able to work without major interruption from major illnesses.

15. Older employees can stay healthy longer

    Walking to work can help older employees continue to work instead of retiring due to failing health. A moderate amount of physical activity, preferably on a daily basis, offers an exceptional amount of benefits for older adults in particular. Physical activity does not need to be strenuous to achieve health benefits, and walking to work fits the bill for most adults.

Source: (http://www.accreditedonlinecolleges.com/blog/2012/15-facts-you-should-share-on-national-walk-to-work-day/).